Richmond Petersburg, VA, October 5, 2026 — Republican Senator Thom Tillis has identified two significant actions from his career as his greatest regrets, according to statements made in a recently published book. The details surrounding these regrets center on his vote to confirm Pete Hegseth for the position of Defense Secretary and his perceived inability to prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from potentially serving as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The specific title of the book and the exact publication date were not provided. The book details Senator Tillis’s reflections on his time in public service, highlighting these two instances as particularly impactful upon his professional legacy.

Regarding the confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, the summary indicates Senator Tillis cast a vote that he now views as a significant regret. The exact circumstances of this vote, including the timeline and the outcome of the confirmation process, were not elaborated upon in the provided summary. Furthermore, details concerning Senator Tillis’s specific role or actions in the confirmation process for Hegseth are not available.

Similarly, the summary mentions Senator Tillis’s regret over his perceived failure to block the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the position of Health and Human Services Secretary. The nature of this perceived failure and the specific actions or inactions attributed to Senator Tillis in this matter were not detailed. It was also not specified if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was officially nominated or confirmed for the role.

Senator Tillis’s statements in the book offer a personal accounting of his career choices and their subsequent impact as he perceives them. The article does not contain further quotes from the book or Senator Tillis, nor does it include commentary from other individuals or sources regarding these statements. The full context and specific details of these regrets remain to be elaborated upon through the content of the book itself.


Story summarized from the original created by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press on www.wric.com, see more information here.

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