Tillis blasts GOP’s ‘lazy and unstrategic’ handling of Texas GOP primary, SAVE Act

The Hill
by Alexander Bolton
March 17, 2026
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2 min read

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Sen. Tillis criticized Republicans for mishandling the SAVE Act and Texas GOP primary disputes.

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) criticized Republicans for being "lazy and unstrategic" in handling disputes over both the SAVE Act and the Texas GOP primary runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Tillis made the comments to CNN, venting frustration over what he views as the party's mismanagement of internal conflicts during a period when Republicans need strategic unity. The rebuke reflects growing tensions within the GOP over the direction of key legislative priorities and the contentious Texas Senate race, where establishment and grassroots factions are at odds.

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