During a recent forum hosted by Punchbowl News in Charlotte, US Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, spoke about the Senate GOP leadership race, the 2024 general election in North Carolina, and ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
On the political front, Tillis weighed in on the 2024 election, predicting that former President Donald Trump will likely win North Carolina again at about the same margin or slightly smaller than in 2020.
“I think Trump will likely win North Carolina at or slightly smaller margin than he did in 2020,” Tillis noted while highlighting that the state remains a toss-up nationally. Demonstrating the importance of North Carolina’s electorate, Trump is holding campaign events in Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, and Greensboro on Monday and Tuesday.
Tillis stressed the importance of down-ballot races and expects Republicans to maintain their majorities in the state legislature, but the question will be by what margins, he said.
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Addressing the Senate GOP leadership race, Tillis reaffirmed his support for a strong leadership structure and warned against efforts to weaken it. Sen. Mitch McConnell is stepping down from his post as Senate Leader in November, and two particular senators are at the forefront to fill the vacancy: Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-SD, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX.
“I’m going to support a guy named John,” Tillis joked during the interview, leaving his decision up in the air. He criticized calls to decentralize power within the Republican conference, arguing that strong leadership is essential to counter Democratic cohesion in the Senate.
“Anyone who takes the bait that says we should weaken the leadership role has just made a disqualifying statement for me,” Tillis said. “You don’t weaken the leadership role that’s already a weak leader as compared to the Democrat leader. It defies any knowledge.”
Regarding Hurricane Helene’s storm damage in western North Carolina, Tillis has visited the region and said the depth and breadth of the damage are difficult to understand. He explained that the recovery efforts have not been going well and added that mail delivery is inaccessible for 15,000 addresses, according to the Postmaster General.
He said the federal government must pass an emergency package by the end of the year to continue helping struggling communities through disaster relief funding and the Small Business Administration.