RNC Chair Expected to Run North Carolina Senate as Lara Trump Opts Out

Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump, has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, which is being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis. Instead, she will continue her media career hosting a Fox News show and is expected to support Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in his Senate bid. Whatley, who previously led the North Carolina Republican Party and co-chaired the RNC alongside Lara Trump, has received President Trump's full backing for the 2026 race. The contest is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Whatley expected to face former two-term North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, in what could be one of the most expensive and consequential midterm races. The Republican Party views Whatley's candidacy as a strong campaign to retain the seat, while Democrats see it as an opportunity to flip control of the Senate. President Trump is anticipated to name a replacement for Whatley as RNC chairman around the time Whatley officially announces his Senate run.