Thom Tillis was sworn in as U.S. Senator yesterday. It’s going to be an interesting transition for the former Speaker. He goes from leading a body of 120 members, to going to a place where he’s just one of 100 and near the bottom in terms of seniority. Tillis was in a similar situation eight years ago, but he progressed rapidly through the ranks, becoming Speaker after just four years. A similarly rapid rise in the U.S. Senate would not be surprising, but for now expect Mr. Tillis to keep his head down while he learns the ropes, in the manner of most newcomers to Washington.
As far as voting record goes, expect Tillis to emulate Burr. He’ll be conservative, very business-friendly, but won’t be a “wacko bird”. Sometimes, as when Burr voted to repeal DADT back in 2010, he’ll defy the conventional wisdom, but this will happen only once in a great while. Representing Tar Heel interests, he’ll pay special attention to agricultural and issues affecting veterans.
Tillis is not the only new face in the North Carolina delegation, which is now 80% Republican, 20% Democrat – the most lopsided ratio for any NC delegation since 1967. Pastor Mark Walker succeeds Republican Howard Coble in representing the 6th district and has already made news by voting for John Boehner for Speaker. Some expected him to join the movement to replace Boehner with someone more to the right.
In the 7th district, David Rouzer already brings some Washington experience, having worked as a staffer for both Helms and Dole. Rouzer is the first Republican to represent the 7th district since 1871. And in the 12th, Rep. Alma Adams has the distinction of being an “advanced freshman”, having been sworn in back in November, which is helpful when it comes to office space. If any of these newcomers in the congressional delegation garner significant media attention, it will probably be the lady with the funny hats, who is known to be outspoken.
With Coble’s departure, Walter Jones is now the most senior in our congressional delegation, having been elected in 1994. Jones was one of the Representatives who voted against Boehner in the Speaker vote yesterday. David Price in the 4th district is the most senior Democrat and would be the most senior overall were it not for his service being interrupted by his 1994 election defeat.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
Mr Tillis has some huge money backing him so I look for him to do exactly what he has to do to get the most power, whatever that looks like, in the fastest way possible without loosing credibility. He is a long-term investment and he is aware of that fact so I doubt he’ll screw it up.
Reminds me of a comment Tip O’Neill made about Ronald Reagan. To the effect that, “Reagan wasn’t much of a President, but he’d have made one hell of a King.”
And there’s the good Senator wearing a crown…
Rick High: I guess you missed John’s earlier blog when he in fact raised his belief that Tillis was a political whiz and of presidential caliber. I recall I couldn’t stop giggling throughout the day….
Maybe Tillis will continue his rapid political advancement and become President in 2016 or 2020 and join Elizabeth Dole and never return to NC again.