Sen. Thom Tillis’s (R-N.C.) decision to not seek reelection to another term has scrambled the field for what will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country next year.

The North Carolina Senate race was already going to be one of the most-discussed contests of the 2026 midterms as one of the two main targets for Democrats hoping to at least narrow the Republican majority in the body.

But with Tillis out, the race appears set to become even more hotly contested as big names on both sides of the aisle are floated as potential candidates, including Lara Trump and former Gov. Roy Cooper (D).

“I think it’s changed the calculus tremendously because ... Tillis was going to be not impossible but difficult to beat,” said North Carolina Democratic strategist Doug Wilson.

Tillis had previously demonstrated his electoral strength in challenging races in a battleground state, winning his Senate elections in 2014 and 2020 by less than 2 points. Democrats were hopeful in particular that they had an opportunity to oust Tillis in 2020, as former state Sen. Cal Cunningham (D) led the incumbent in the polls throughout most of the race.

But his campaign was derailed late by reports that Cunningham was having an affair, and Tillis pulled off a win as President Trump also narrowly carried the state in the presidential race.

Democrats previously acknowledged the challenge they would face in defeating Tillis for a third term but expressed hope, especially if the popular former two-term Gov. Cooper enters the race. Cooper has been considering a bid, but the North Carolina-based NBC affiliate WRAL reported that he won’t decide for at least a few more weeks.

Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.), who........

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