Dem takes aim at Trump, Tillis in 2026 Senate launch video: ‘Tanking our economy’
Former Democratic congressman Wiley Nickel is making a bold move by launching a Senate campaign in North Carolina, targeting President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Nickel, who served in former President Barack Obama’s administration before winning election as a state senator and later serving in Congress, is positioning himself as a fighter against what he sees as the erosion of democracy and the economy under Trump’s leadership.
In a social media post announcing his candidacy, Nickel criticized Tillis for failing to stand up to Trump, declaring, “Thom Tillis lacks the courage to stand up to him – I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit on the sidelines.” Democrats see Tillis as a vulnerable incumbent, with Nickel being the first major Democrat to enter the 2026 Senate race in North Carolina.
Nickel’s political career includes flipping a red congressional district blue in 2022, but he chose not to seek re-election in 2024 after his district was redrawn to favor the GOP. In his campaign video, Nickel highlighted Republican efforts to gerrymander his district, preventing him from running again.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) wasted no time in attacking Nickel, calling him a “far-left radical” and accusing him of being out of touch with North Carolina voters. The NRSC spokesperson, Joanna Rodriguez, criticized Nickel for retiring instead of facing tough election challenges and predicted that he would be rejected by voters in 2026.
While Nickel is the first major candidate to announce his Senate bid, many Democrats are hoping that former Governor Roy Cooper will also run. Cooper, a popular former governor who completed his two terms in January, has yet to decide on his next political move.
North Carolina is a key battleground state for Democrats in 2026, along with Maine and Georgia. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the Senate, and both parties are eyeing competitive races in various states in the upcoming midterm elections.
Overall, Nickel’s entry into the Senate race sets the stage for a highly contested and closely watched campaign in North Carolina. With the political landscape constantly shifting, it remains to be seen how Nickel’s candidacy will influence the outcome of the 2026 Senate race in this critical southeastern battleground state.
