Thom Tillis

Thom Tillis is a Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina, first elected to the Senate in 2014 after defeating incumbent Kay Hagan. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Tillis grew up in a working-class family that relocated frequently for his father's work. He entered the private sector after high school and later earned a Bachelor of Science in technology management from the University of Maryland University College at age 36. His professional background includes a nearly 30-year career in technology and management consulting, notably serving as a partner at IBM and an executive at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Tillis’s public service career began as a member of the Cornelius, North Carolina, Board of Commissioners before his election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2006. He served as Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2014, where he played a key role in enacting tax and regulatory reforms in the state. Since joining the Senate, he has served on several committees, including Judiciary, Finance, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs. In June 2025, Tillis announced that he would not seek a third term in the 2026 election.

Thom Tillis's policy positions generally align with the Republican platform, though he has occasionally engaged in bipartisan negotiations. On healthcare, he is a frequent critic of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has voted for its repeal; he advocates for a 'patient-centered' model and introduced the Protect Act, which he states is intended to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions outside of the ACA. Regarding the economy, he supports tax reductions and regulatory reform to stimulate growth and has expressed significant concern over national debt and mandatory spending. On immigration, Tillis emphasizes border security and a merit-based system while having previously proposed paths to legal status for DACA recipients. In foreign policy, he is a vocal supporter of NATO and has advocated for military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, characterizing such support as vital to national security. He has also taken moderate positions on specific social issues, such as voting for the Respect for Marriage Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. On environmental issues, he has historically opposed the Paris Agreement and supported rolling back EPA emissions standards.