With more than 13,000 individual campaign contributions, Tillis announced Sunday he will not be seeking a third term next year.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tillis gave him a heads-up he would retire: “It’s unfortunate, and it’s something he’s been thinking about for a while and he just finally decided that was the best decision for him and his family,” he told POLITICO.

WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Sunday he will not seek reelection next year, an abrupt announcement that came one day after he staked out his opposition to President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package because of its reductions to health care programs.