A conservative legislator shifts to a more moderate stance after expressing disagreement with Trump.
In the evolving political landscape of the United States, the label of "moderate Republican" carries a new weight, particularly in the Republican Party. This was evident in the case of Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who recently announced he will not seek reelection in 2026.
Tillis, a conservative lawmaker known for his legislative achievements on gun rights, abortion restrictions, and spending cuts, has faced criticism from far-right Republicans and Trump supporters for being too moderate. His opposition to the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a sweeping legislation aimed at slashing social programs like Medicaid to fund tax cuts and increased immigration enforcement, drew particular ire.
The bill's Medicaid provisions, according to Tillis, would force states like North Carolina to spend billions of dollars to provide health care to millions of Americans. This stance, however, led to him being labeled a "Republican In Name Only" (RINO) by some within his party.
In response, Tillis emphasized his commitment to conservative principles, stating in a CNN interview that he is a "Republican In Need Of Outcomes." He pointed to his role in helping the GOP takeover and dominance of the North Carolina state legislature in the 2010s as evidence of his conservative credentials.
The shifting definition of conservatism in the Republican Party is centred around loyalty to Donald Trump. Cooper, a political scientist, notes that Trump has changed the meaning of polarization for the Republican Party, making loyalty to Trump the litmus test for a "conservative" label. This shift has led to a situation where moderation can be seen as a liability, even in safe Republican seats.
The GOP caucus has moved significantly to the right in the past decade, nearly three times as much as the Democrats have moved left. This rightward shift is evident in the primary challengers looking to unseat Senators John Cornyn in Texas and Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, claiming these senators aren't conservative enough.
Senator Tillis' decision not to seek reelection comes amidst threats from President Trump to back a primary challenger due to his opposition to the bill. Tillis' departure from the Senate race marks a significant loss for the moderate wing of the Republican Party, further solidifying the party's rightward trajectory.
[1] Moderate Republicans: A Fading Label or a New Normal?
[2] The Rise and Fall of the Rockefeller Republicans
[3] The Moderate Republican: A Vanishing Breed in Today's GOP
[1] Debates about the 'moderate Republican' label have resurfaced, especially within the Republican Party, following Senator Thom Tillis' decision not to seek reelection in 2026.
[2] Senator Tillis' stance against the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' and his subsequent labeling as a 'Republican In Name Only' (RINO) underscore the changing definition of conservatism within the current political climate.
[3] The move towards a more hardline conservative stance in the Republican Party has led to credit being assigned to those who support defi (de-financed) social programs like Medicaid and abide by the litmus test of loyalty to former President Trump.
[4] In the realm of education-and-self-development and general news, the influence of politics, particularly the dynamic within the Republican Party, is shaping the swing in political positions and self-identification among its members.
