Lara Trump considers Senate bid in North Carolina to replace Thom Tillis

Jun 30, 2025 - 11:00
Lara Trump considers Senate bid in North Carolina to replace Thom Tillis

Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), is considering a potential Senate bid in North Carolina after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced he would not seek reelection.

A source confirmed to The Hill that Trump was weighing her options in the wake of Tillis's announcement on Sunday. NOTUS first reported that she was "seriously considering" a bid.

Trump is a North Carolina native who graduated from N.C. State University. She was previously floated as a potential Senate candidate when former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) retired. She opted not to launch a campaign for the seat, but left the door open to a future run for office.

The president's daughter-in-law served as a co-chair of the RNC during the 2024 campaign, with a focus on fundraising efforts. She stepped down from that position and earlier this year began hosting a weekend show on Fox News. The network did not respond to a request for comment about her potential Senate bid.

Tillis's stunning announcement came after he said he would oppose the president's mammoth tax package.

The North Carolina Senate seat was widely considered the toughest for the GOP to defend next year.

Other names being circulated among Republicans as potential Senate candidates include Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), an Army veteran and freshman member of Congress, and Michael Whatley, who is chairman of the RNC and previously led the North Carolina GOP.

Democrats in the Tar Heel State and in Washington have been waiting to find out whether former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) will take the plunge for the high-stakes contest.