Preparation for North Carolina Senate Run

The Chair of the Republican National Committee, Michael Whatley, is anticipated to declare his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. This development follows Lara Trump’s decision not to pursue a run, despite speculation about her interest in the race.

Whatley, who has led the RNC since March of last year, is expected to compete against Democratic candidate and former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Cooper is reportedly preparing to launch his campaign soon, setting the stage for a potentially fierce contest.

North Carolina’s Senate race is seen as a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats in the 2026 cycle, especially after Republican Senator Thom Tillis announced he would not seek re-election. Tillis, who has held the seat since 2015, had a notable clash with former President Trump over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Speculation has increased that Lara Trump, daughter-in-law to former President Trump, might run for the seat. Although she has repeatedly declined to run—most recently citing personal reasons—her name remains prominent in political discussions. Lara Trump previously served as co-chair of the RNC alongside Whatley from March last year to January and has formerly passed on other political opportunities, including Senate bids in Minnesota and Florida.

Currently, Lara Trump hosts a Fox News show and has interviewed key figures within the Republican Party, including her father-in-law.

Behind the scenes, GOP strategists are actively seeking a strong candidate to defend the open seat. Despite Trump’s victory in the state last November, the party faced setbacks in the gubernatorial race. Democrats’ internal polling indicates that a candidate aligned with Trump might have the best chance of success.