President Donald Trump has decided to back Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley for North Carolina’s open Senate seat, choosing him over his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. The move represents a notable shift in direction, as Trump had earlier suggested she would be his top pick for the role.
On July 24, 2025, Lara Trump announced that she would not run for the seat, sharing on social media that after careful thought and conversations with family, friends, and supporters, she had opted not to enter the race. The former RNC co-chair, married to Eric Trump, thanked her home state for its encouragement and affirmed that her commitment to the Make America Great Again movement remains strong.
According to sources, the decision followed a personal conversation in which President Trump expressed his support for Whatley earlier this week. Trump previously told reporters that Lara Trump would excel in the position and was always his first choice, adding that although she does not currently reside in North Carolina, she knows the state well and visits frequently.
Whatley launched his campaign July 31, with endorsements from both President Trump and Lara Trump, according to multiple reports. He served as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 to 2024, during which time he earned Trump’s favor for supporting efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.
The Senate seat opened after Senator Thom Tillis announced in late June that he would not run for reelection in 2026. His decision followed a public split with Trump over the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which led Trump to vow support for a primary challenger. Rather than face such a race, Tillis chose to step down, ending a tenure that began in 2015.
This is the third occasion on which Lara Trump has considered but ultimately declined a Senate bid. She previously passed on runs in North Carolina in 2022 and in Florida when Marco Rubio vacated his seat to become Secretary of State, citing her two young children and family priorities in both instances.
Republican strategists have quietly been promoting Whatley as a possible contender since January, with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott meeting with him to discuss the opportunity. Internal polling suggested that a candidate aligned with Trump would have the strongest chance of winning.
President Trump also endorsed Florida State Senator Joe Gruters to succeed Whatley as RNC chair. Gruters, a longtime ally who co-chaired Trump’s 2016 Florida campaign alongside current White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, expressed eagerness to advance the America First agenda in the position.
Republicans see Whatley’s candidacy as a strong choice, given his ties to major donors and his deep involvement in North Carolina politics. Trump has voiced confidence that these relationships will help Republicans hold the seat in an anticipated tight race.
Meanwhile, Democrats are preparing a vigorous challenge, viewing the contest as a prime opportunity to gain ground in the 2026 midterms. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced his bid on Monday, with plans to formally launch his campaign imminently. Cooper, a popular two-term governor who was once considered as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris in 2024, is expected to lead the Democratic field.
Former Congressman Wiley Nickel has already entered the race, but Cooper is seen as the more formidable candidate, thanks to his statewide victories and appeal to independents and moderate Republicans.
Since stepping down from her RNC co-chair post in December 2024, Lara Trump has focused on media and music, hosting the Fox News program “My View with Lara Trump” and pursuing a Christian pop music career. She released her sixth single shortly before announcing her decision not to run.
The 2026 North Carolina Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile contests of the midterm elections. With Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority and Democrats aiming to retake control, the results on November 3, 2026, could have a major impact on the balance of power during Trump’s second term.
