Days after U.S. Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not run for reelection, host Tim Boyum sits down with two of North Carolina’s top consultants to talk about what’s next. 

Morgan Jackson, a top Democratic strategist for former Gov. Roy Cooper, and Jonathan Felts, a top Republican strategist for current U.S. Senator Ted Budd, join Tim to talk about Tillis’ decision, potential candidates and the role of President Donald Trump.

Before his announcement, Tillis weighed Trump’s influence and Senate GOP support, said a person who was granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics.

Tillis saw the GOP pushing forward with Medicaid cuts and Trump’s Truth social posts calling for a new primary challenger as a “no.”

Jackson said the data shows though, that Tillis was one of the weakest incumbents in the country — Republican or Democrat.

“I think, if you are in a place where swing voters view the way they do Thom Tillis, meaning upside-down in the numbers, and you’re now in open warfare with the person who determines whether or not you’re going to win your primary, it makes total sense. There was not a path forward,” Morgan said. “In a Primary or General.”

Democrats now see his decision as a political opportunity to gain seats in the 2026 midterm elections, especially in the now open Senate race of this long-contested state, and some Republicans are mulling the idea as well.

And though Tim says he usually doesn’t focus on the “who’s in, who’s out,” he does admit there are some big potential names who could enter the race this summer. 

Lara Trump, a big name in the hat, was born in Wilmington, but has established residency in Florida. President Trump recently said she’d be his top pick.

“She’s a great person, Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice,” he said. “But she doesn’t live there now, but she’s there all the time. Her parents are there, you know. She really knows North Carolina well.” 

“I think we have a lot of good candidates if we’re looking at it. I think if Lara Trump wants the nomination, it’s hers for the taking,” Felts said. “She connects well with the voters here in North Carolina. They see her as one of us. They see her as a ‘hometown girl.’”

On the Democrat ticket, Tim asked Jackson whether there’s national pressure that the party needs former Gov. Roy Cooper to step up and be the ‘savior’.

“It’s easy to do the math and say there’s no question Roy Cooper gives the best chance to win if you’re lay Democrat, a reporter, or an activist,” Jackson said. “They’re giving him space to make that decision, but yeah, they really want him to run.”

Join Tim for this fun, informative and news breaking discussion.