Former Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel has officially kicked off a campaign to challenge North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
Nickel is an attorney and former Obama administration staffer, who served one term in the House before redistricting made him give up his seat to the Republicans.
According to footage he shared via his X account, Nickel is getting ready to nationalize the race, and he has decided to hinge his campaign on linking Tillis to President Donald Trump.
Former Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel at a local meeting. Source: Wiley Nickel
“We got to stand up to Donald Trump and Thom Tillis, over and over, has been the one that has voted for the Trump agenda. He’s been the deciding vote on important confirmation after confirmation,” Nickel said in an interview.
Nickel is the first major Democratic candidate in North Carolina
Wiley Nickel’s campaign has the potential to rally Democrats in North Carolina because he is the first major Democratic candidate to kick off a bid for what is likely to be one of the only available competitive Senate seats this cycle.
Nickel has floated a Senate campaign since he announced he wouldn’t run for the House again. He was part of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition during his House tenure, even though he said he was not particular about labels as he launched his bid for the Senate.
If he wins, it would give Democrats a Senate seat in North Carolina, a luxury they have not enjoyed since Kay Hagan lost in 2014. It’s still early days, but many of them think he stands a good chance in the race.
Vice President Kamala Harris lost the state in 2024 even as Democrats won the races for governor, attorney general and secretary of state.
“North Carolina is trending the right way,” Nickel has said. Now he just needs to beat out Senator Tillis, a man he said has been sucking up to Trump by voting in favor of “MAGA extremists” and the “Trump agenda.”
“Trump is shredding our Constitution and tanking our economy. Thom Tillis lacks the courage to stand up to him — I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit on the sidelines,” captioned the footage, which contained his declaration to run for Tillis’ seat.
Trump is shredding our Constitution and tanking our economy. Thom Tillis lacks the courage to stand up to him — I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit on the sidelines.
I’m running to fight for a better future for North Carolinians.
Join our campaign — let’s take back the Senate. pic.twitter.com/aHHXJFjJvF
— Wiley Nickel 🇺🇸 (@WileyNickel) April 9, 2025
“I’m running to fight for a better future for North Carolinians,” he added before asking his audience to join his campaign to help Democrats take back the Senate.
One of the few things that could throw a wrench in Nickel’s plans is the potential entry of former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper into the race. Democrats have hoped Cooper, who’s been noncommittal on his future plans, would run for the position.
Nickel dodged a question on whether he’d stay in the race if Cooper launched a bid.
“I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about former Governor Roy Cooper,” the Senatorial candidate said. “My focus is Thom Tillis, who is voting over and over with Donald Trump on disastrous policies that are going to harm North Carolina.”
Thank you to the organizers of today’s empty chair town hall!
While Thom Tillis hides from his constituents, we’ll keep organizing and holding him accountable for the damage he’s letting Trump do to NC. Leadership means showing up. pic.twitter.com/6Ajh2sJpif
— Wiley Nickel 🇺🇸 (@WileyNickel) March 22, 2025
Wiley is a pro-crypto Democratic candidate
If Wiley is able to secure the Senate seat, it would not only be a big win for Democrats in the state, it would be a great one for the crypto industry.
Wiley Nickel is recognized by many as a pro-crypto advocate. While he was a U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 13th congressional district, he had a history of consistently supporting policies and legislation focused on encouraging innovation in the crypto space.
Nickel was very vocal about the importance of creating clear regulatory frameworks to support cryptocurrency, emphasizing consumer protection, economic growth, and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global financial landscape.
The kids and I had a good time in today’s Cary holiday parade! It was great to see everyone out and about with loved ones.
Happy Holidays! pic.twitter.com/kEG86SJS5z
— Wiley Nickel 🇺🇸 (@WileyNickel) December 15, 2024
Nickel also had little love for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Chair Gary Gensler, claiming that its “regulation by enforcement” approach has set the U.S. back where crypto innovation is concerned.
Furthermore, Nickel has worked to keep the subject of cryptocurrency a bipartisan issue, urging the Democratic Party to adopt a progressive stance. One of his most notable endeavors regarding crypto was observed in July 2024 when he co-authored a letter with other Democrats in July 2024 to the Democratic National Committee, advocating for pro-crypto language in the party platform, a crypto-savvy vice-presidential pick, and more engagement with the industry.
He has also been known to make appearances at events like the Bitcoin 2024 conference which further proves how committed he is to promoting the technology’s potential.
