Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis acknowledged Wednesday that he is considering a possible bid for U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's seat in 2014 but a decision won't come until June at the earliest.
"You can't not think about what you are going to do because I term-limited myself," said Tillis, who is serving his final two-year term. "It would be disingenuous to say you are not thinking about what you do, but there is a lot of opportunity out there that are just not political, professional opportunities and other things. ...It's something I'll deal with after June" when the legislature is expected to wrap up.
Tillis is considered by political insiders as a leading candidate for the GOP nomination. He spent the last year touring the state holding town halls to reach party activists and interested voters. But a recent Public Policy Polling survey showed he faces steep odds with just 2 percent support at this point, below other more well-know Republicans. His comments Wednesday are his most extensive on the topic so far, though he remained guarded. He wouldn't rule out a bid but cautioned, "I"m not ruling it in."
The specter of a Tillis bid is overshadowing the 2013 legislative session. A below-the-radar power struggle is at work in the Republican caucus as leaders vie to replace Tillis. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger is also considered a potential candidate.
Comments
Thom's timing may be wrong for a run for US Senate
January 9, 2013 - 10:50am — Marshall_AdameWith all due respect to Mr. Tillis I really believe that after two years of total Republican control in the State of NC, the voters, Republicans included, will not be all that excited about sending a Republican to replace our Democratic Senator Kaye Hagan.
Although Sen. Hagan and I do not see eye to eye on some issues, I feel she is doing not just a good job representing North Carolina, but an honest and sincere job.
None of us are above rebuke and that includes Kay Hagan, but few in our politics are as close to that standard as Kaye. I do not think North Carolinians, by and large, two years from now, will choose to replace a tested and trusted asset for one who may not be able to stand for NC interests in the face of very hard, almost extremeist pressure from the Republican party, Tea party, as well as House and Senate pressures to abide political paths, or else. Perhaps Mr. Tillis should re-consider.