Global Courant
North Carolina Republican delegates voted Saturday to censure U.S. Senator Thom Tillis for allegedly straying from conservative values with his stances on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
At the state party’s annual convention in Greensboro, delegates accused the senator of violating key principles of the Republican platform. The censure needed a two-thirds majority to pass, and 1,801 voting delegates were present.
Tillis, who has served in the Senate since 2015, is known for his willingness to compromise with Democrats on issues such as immigration, gun violence and LGBTQ+ rights. He worked last year on the Respect For Marriage Act, which gave federal protection to interracial and same-sex marriages.
Tillis also supported funding for red flag laws, which give state courts the power to remove firearms from people who could pose a threat to others or themselves.
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U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), right, speaks to reporters outside the Senate chambers of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2022 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, file)
“We need people who steadfastly support conservative ideals,” 81-year-old Representative Jim Forster told the Associated Press. “His recent actions do not reflect the party’s shift to the right – in fact, they are moving in exactly the wrong direction.”
But other delegates disagreed with the censure, fearing it would further divide Republicans. State Senator Jim Burgin told the Associated Press that the vote sets a dangerous precedent for the party.
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U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) addresses reporters outside the Senate chambers of the U.S. Capitol on June 21, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, file)
“I believe that a mafia mentality does us no good,” argued North Carolina state senator Bobby Hanig. “Senator Tillis does a lot for North Carolina, he does a lot for the coastal communities, so why would I want to piss him off?”
Tillis spokesman Daniel Keylin defended the senator’s conservatism to Fox News Digital, citing his support for conservative legislation.
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Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks to reporters before attending a policy lunch with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on September 28, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“He will never apologize for his work: passing the largest tax cut in history, introducing legislation to secure the border and end sanctuary cities, providing much-needed funding to strengthen security in schools and protecting the rights of churches to worship freely based on their belief in traditional marriage,” Keylin said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
