Sen. Thom Tillis Comments on GOP’s Chances in 2026 Elections

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October 7, 2026
Election Coverage Politics

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) expressed concerns on Monday about the Republican Party’s chances of retaining control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. During an appearance on MS NOW’s “The Beat,” host Ari Melber inquired about the internal conflicts within the GOP linked to President Trump. Tillis emphasized his support for Trump as the leader of the party rather than as an individual. “I am supporting the president because he’s the head of the party,” Tillis stated. “I want my party to be in the best position for elections. We will face some challenges this season but plan to recover.”

Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, remarked, “I think it’s almost statistically impossible for us to win the House at this point.” However, he expressed optimism about the Senate, saying that while the control margin may be narrow, Republicans could still secure it. “We have strong candidates in places like Maine, Ohio, and Arkansas,” Tillis noted. “They need to campaign vigorously, and we must support them.”

His comments come in a challenging midterm environment for GOP candidates, marked by Trump’s low approval ratings, public disapproval of the engagement in Iran, a trade conflict with Canada, and concerns over inflation.

According to polling averages, the battle for the Senate is close. Democrats need to secure four additional seats to take control. Competitive races are ongoing in states such as Maine, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, and Alaska. Recent polling from The New York Times/Siena shows Democrats leading in Texas by 6 points, Alaska by 7 points, and Ohio by 3 points. In Iowa and Kansas, Democrats trail by 1 point and are tied respectively. The results from Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas are within the survey’s margin of error, which stands at 4.5 points in Ohio and 4.6 points for Iowa and Kansas.

For Tillis’s current Senate seat, Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, North Carolina’s former governor, is the likely successor according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). DDHQ estimates an 84 percent probability of Cooper flipping the seat. Overall, DDHQ projects Democrats to have a 76 percent likelihood of regaining the House and a 56 percent chance of capturing the Senate.