Former Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel is making another run for office, this time for Senate.

Sen. Thom Tillis's term is up after 2026, and he's expected to get a strong challenge from Democrats. Former Gov. Roy Cooper is also expected to run for the Democratic nomination. 

Nickle kicked off his bid for U.S. Senate Wednesday. The Democrat represented North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, which serves Johnson, parts of Wake, Harnett and Wayne counties. He lost his reelection bid last year after the state legislature redrew the map for his district to favor the Republican candidate. 

Last year, he introduced a bill to create what he calls “nonpartisan redistricting commissions” in every state.

Nickel is the first Democrat to get in the race. The primary will be held in spring 2026 before the General Election the following November. 

“North Carolinians are struggling with rising costs, low wages and a Senator who cares more about his own career than helping them. I can’t sit on the sidelines and watch it happen,” Nickel said.

Nickel, his wife, and their two young children live in Cary.