North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' surprise retirement announcement over the weekend creates a sudden opening in next year's midterm elections, setting off a scramble of successor speculation that includes both a former Democratic governor and a Trump other than the one who ultimately nudged Tillis into leaving.
Tillis' decision, revealed Sunday after President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary candidate against him as Tillis opposed Medicaid reductions in the president's tax break and spending cut package , is leading Republican politicians to size up whether they can lasso the electoral and financial support to compete for the seat.
Anyone getting a Trump endorsement is likely to have the inside track for the GOP nomination next March.
"There's a tremendous amount of people who are looking at the position and trying to determine whether they have the fire in belly to run for it," state Rep. John Torbett said on Monday.
Democrats waiting on Cooper