Speculation is growing that Lara Trump could return to North Carolina for a Senate bid. With President Donald Trump’s backing and other potential candidates seeming tentative, the seat seems to be hers to claim.
Rumors have intensified since Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced Sunday that he will not seek reelection, leaving the seat wide open in the 2026 midterms. (RELATED: Battle For Open North Carolina Senate Seat Poised To Be Hotly Contested)
The president, the father-in-law of the North Carolina native, publicly backed her as a strong contender to fill the seat.
“She’s a great person, Lara Trump. That would always be my first choice,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday.
Lara Trump allegedly weighed a Senate run in North Carolina in 2022, according to a New York Times report.
Michael Whatley, Republican National Committee chairman and former North Carolina GOP chairman, is another GOP front-runner being considered, according to the Times. Since reports surfaced throwing his name into the ring and as of Wednesday early afternoon, Whatley has been quiet.
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman and North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson had surfaced as a potential contender in early conversations about the state’s open Senate seat.(RELATED: ‘Runaway Favorite’: CNN’s Harry Enten Teases Which Trump Could Dominate NC Senate GOP Primary)
He addressed the rumors by sharing that his focus is on continuing to represent his district well in a Tuesday post to X.
“I am humbled by and grateful for the hundreds of North Carolinians who have encouraged me the past few days to run for the US Senate,” Hudson said.
“However, my focus remains on representing the people of the 9th district- including the incredible men and women at Ft Bragg and their families — and on growing the House majority as NRCC Chairman,” he added.
Another name gaining traction in GOP circles for the governor’s race is former Green Beret and Republican North Carolina Rep. Pat Harrigan.
“There’s lots of excitement around the 2026 Senate race, but let me be crystal clear about something: if Lara Trump enters this race, I’ll be the first to endorse her and the first to fight for her victory,” Harrigan said in a Tuesday post on X.
The president’s daughter-in-law expressed interest in the seat, telling the Daily Caller on Nov. 14 that her perspective as a young mother would offer a valuable voice in the Senate to replace now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Senate seat in Florida.
She later went on to step down from her position as RNC co-chair on Dec. 8.
At the time, speculation swirled that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis might appoint her to the Senate seat vacated by Rubio.
However, Lara Trump publicly removed herself from consideration for the position in a post on X on Dec. 21. (RELATED: Why 3 Republican Senators Voted Against Trump’s Megabill)
DeSantis went on to appoint former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Rubio’s seat on Jan. 16.
