North Carolina GOP Censures Sen. Tillis For Supporting Human Rights

Another state Republican party loses its damn mind by voting to censure Sen. Thom Tillis on a 799-361 vote at their yearly convention. The vote has no immediate effect, but Tillis can probably expect a primary challenge from someone from the far right for 2026. Assuming they don't find anyone with the political skill and money to knock him off though, Tillis can probably expect a lifetime Senate appointment now, with more independents and even some Democrats willing to vote for a non-batshit crazy Republican. So in that sense, the vote to censure probably helps Tillis more than it hurts.

All of which is quite ironic, as Tillis gained the senate seat in 2014 by being the far-right, batshit Republican alternative to moderate Democrat Kay Hagan. He won that election in a squeaker. Then in 2020 he was expected to lose against Cal Cunningham but survived after Cunningham's extramarital affair during the campaign came to light. The Democrats giving away a senate seat there. So, in my opinion, Tiliis' move to, in some respects at least, a pragmatic reality-based Republican isn't that surprising. He had to, in order to survive. Now the question is whether he can survive North Carolina Republicans.

Source: Associated Press

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