Thom Tillis Biography: Thomas Roland Tillis born August 30, 1960) is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the senior U.S. senator from North Carolina, a position he has held since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Tillis previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, including four years as Speaker from 2011 to 2015.
Thom Tillis Biography
Thom Tillis, a member of the Republican Party, has served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina since January 3, 2015. His current term is set to expire on January 3, 2027. Although he initially filed to run for re-election in the 2026 Senate race, Tillis announced on June 29, 2025, that he would not seek another term. Before joining the U.S. Senate, Tillis had a background in management and consulting. He began his political career with a two-year term as a town commissioner in Cornelius, North Carolina. He later served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 98 from 2007 to 2015, including a four-year tenure as Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015.
Thom Tillis Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Thomas Roland Tillis
August 30, 1960 |
|---|---|
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Susan Tillis |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Rick Tillis (brother) |
| Education | Chattanooga State Community College University of Maryland University College (BS) |
| Category | Politician Biography |
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About Thom Tillis
Thomas Roland Tillis is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from North Carolina, a seat he has held since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Tillis served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015, and as its speaker from 2011 to 2015.
Thom Tillis Wiki
- Born: 30 August 1960 (age 64 years), Jacksonville, Florida, United States
- Party: Republican Party
- Office: United States Senator
- Previous offices: Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives (2011–2014) ·
- Education: University of Maryland Global Campus (1997), Chattanooga State Community College
- Spouse: Susan Tillis
- Children: Ryan Tillis, Lindsay Tillis
Early Life and Education
Thomas Tillis was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Margie and Thomas Raymond Tillis, who worked as a boat draftsman. He was the oldest son in a family of six children, which included three older sisters. Due to frequent relocations—about 20 moves by the time he was 17—Tillis lived in various cities, including New Orleans and Nashville, and never attended the same school two years in a row.
Interestingly, he shares his full name with his father and two brothers. One of his brothers, Thomas “Rick” Tillis, went on to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives. After graduating from high school in 1978, Tillis left home and entered the workforce. He later enrolled at Chattanooga State Community College and eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in technology management from the University of Maryland University College in 1986.
Business Career
After graduating from high school, Thom Tillis began working at Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, he assisted in digitizing company records in partnership with Wang Laboratories, a computer firm based in Boston. Wang later hired Tillis to work at its Boston office. He spent two and a half years there before being transferred back to Chattanooga and later to Atlanta. Tillis joined the accounting and consulting firm Price Waterhouse, where he was promoted to partner in 1996.
Two years later, in 1998, he and his family relocated to Cornelius, North Carolina. When PricewaterhouseCoopers sold its consulting division to IBM in 2002, Tillis transitioned to a position at IBM as well. That same year, Tillis began his involvement in local politics by advocating for a bike trail in Cornelius and joining the town’s park board. In 2003, he ran for town commissioner and tied for second place, securing a seat.
North Carolina House of Representatives
After serving a two-year term as a town commissioner, Tillis ran for a seat in the North Carolina General Assembly in 2006. He defeated incumbent John W. Rhodes in the Republican primary and was elected unopposed in the general election. He continued to be reelected without opposition in 2008, 2010, and 2012. Tillis formally left IBM in 2009.
In 2010, Tillis served as campaign chairman for the House Republican Caucus. Following the Republican Party’s takeover of the North Carolina House—the first since 1998—Tillis was elected Speaker of the House, becoming only the fifth Republican to hold the position. He was unanimously reelected as Speaker in 2013. That same year, Governing magazine recognized Tillis and North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger as “GOP Legislators to Watch.”
U.S. Senate
Thom Tillis chose not to seek reelection to the North Carolina House of Representatives, opting instead to run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan, who was seeking a second term. During the Republican primary, Tillis received endorsements from prominent figures including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The New York Times referred to Tillis as a “favorite of the party establishment.”
Throughout the primary campaign, Tillis strategically avoided several forums—skipping four candidate events and one of the three televised debates—in order to sidestep lesser-known opponents and solidify his position as the frontrunner. He faced criticism for accepting campaign donations from organizations that lobbied the state legislature while he was Speaker of the House.
Political Positions
Thom Tillis is opposed to abortion. In 2011, while serving as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, he helped pass a law requiring abortion providers to perform an ultrasound at least four hours before the procedure. This law was later struck down by the courts. At the time, Tillis described the ultrasound requirement as “the most critical part of the law” and urged that the ruling be appealed. he voted in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood in North Carolina.
The following year, he backed a bill originally intended to improve motorcycle safety, which had been quietly amended to include new abortion restrictions. During his 2014 U.S. Senate campaign, a spokesperson told The Washington Post that Tillis would support a federal personhood bill, provided it included exceptions for rape, incest, and cases where the mother’s life was at risk, and as long as women retained access to contraceptives.
Personal Life
Thom Tillis lives in Huntersville, North Carolina, with his wife, Susan. The couple has two children. Prior to his marriage to Susan, Tillis was twice married and divorced from his high school sweetheart. He previously resided in Cornelius, North Carolina, where he began his political career by serving on the town council. His brother, Rick Tillis, served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Tillis is a practicing Catholic. he announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would undergo surgery and treatment. He noted that he had experienced no symptoms and that the cancer was detected during a routine physical exam. He encouraged other men to undergo regular screenings for prostate health.
Thom Tillis net worth 2025
Thom Tillis’s estimated net worth for 2018 is $10966045. Learn more about their investments and assets. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, defeating Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan, and won re-election in 2020. He became the state’s senior senator after Richard Burr’s retirement in 2023. Known as a moderate Republican, Tillis has supported legislation such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provides funding for state-level red flag laws.
FAQs
How did Thom Tillis begin his political career?
Tillis began his political career at the local level in Cornelius, North Carolina. He advocate for a bike trail project and was appoint to the town’s park board. In 2003, he successfully ran for town commissioner, tying for second place in the election. This laid the groundwork for his eventual run for the North Carolina General Assembly in 2006.
What are Thom Tillis’s views on public assistance?
In a 2011 speech, Tillis spoke about reforming public assistance programs by encouraging those who were involuntarily dependent on aid to distinguish themselves from those he described as choosing government dependency. Though he later regretted using the phrase “divide and conquer,” he stood by the general intent of the message.
Has Thom Tillis faced any health challenges?
Yes, in March 2021, Thom Tillis announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis came during a routine physical exam, and he reported having no symptoms. He underwent surgery and encouraged men to get regular screenings for prostate health.
Where does Thom Tillis currently live?
Thom Tillis resides in Huntersville, North Carolina, with his wife, Susan. Before moving there, he lived in Cornelius, North Carolina, where he launched his political career.
What religion does Thom Tillis practice?
Thom Tillis is a practicing Catholic, which he has openly acknowledged in public records and interviews.