Sen. Thom Tillis returns millions to donors as North Carolina Senate race shifts
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tillis returned $1.6 million to donors after ending his 2026 reelection bid.
- Cooper raised $6.3M last quarter; combined with PACs he totaled $14.5M.
- Whatley reported $1.37M; Tillis hasn’t contributed to his campaign so far.
Sen. Thom Tillis had already received $7.6 million in donations for his 2026 campaign when he decided not to seek reelection.
That left him returning more campaign dollars to his donors last quarter than the fellow Republican trying to succeed him was able to raise in the same period.
On Wednesday, candidates running for federal office in 2026 turned in their campaign finance reports to the Federal Election Commission, offering a glimpse into who is supporting their campaigns and how each candidate is using their money.
Tillis announced his plans to seek reelection in December, but a spat with President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans this summer over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the possibility that thousands of North Carolinians would lose health care coverage led Tillis to end his campaign on June 29, just two days before the start of the next financing quarter.
His exit set off a race between Michael Whatley, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Roy Cooper, the former governor of North Carolina. Both men are looking to succeed Tillis.
The pair launched their campaigns two days apart, on July 28 and July 30.
Cooper, the race’s Democrat, collected $10.8 million last quarter, out-raising Whatley, who received $1.4 million in donations. Combined with their political action committees, Cooper raised $14.5 million to Whatley’s $5.8 million.
Meanwhile, Tillis gave back $1.6 million to his supporters, whose names read like a who’s who of billionaires, tech executives and North Carolina elite. Tillis is only required to refund donations provided for the general election. Primary donations can be kept.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates received $3,300 back.
Philanthropist and Duke University alum Melinda Gates received $3,500 back.
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, identical twins involved in Facebook’s development and Olympian rowers, both received back their $3,500 donations.
NASCAR’s Rick and Linda Hendrick received back a collective $10,100 in donations they each made for the primary and general elections.
Blackstone co-founder Stephen Schwarzman and his wife, Christine, received $3,700 back.
Charles Schwab received a $2,900 refund.
Even the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina got a $1,000 refund as Tillis continues to fight for the tribe’s federal recognition.
So far, Tillis hasn’t contributed to Whatley’s campaign.
Tillis continued to receive some donations to his campaign, collecting another $23,139 in the third quarter.
His campaign account holds $3.7 million in cash-on-hand.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM.
