Donald Trump may have just kicked off a political shuffle in the Tar Heel State with his latest endorsement suggestion.
Spectrum News reported that President Trump named his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as his top pick to replace retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, igniting speculation about one of the most pivotal Senate races approaching the 2026 cycle.
Senator Tillis, a Republican who has served for over a decade, announced his retirement shortly after a confrontation with Trump over a contentious tax and spending plan.
Trump did not mince words during a public event Tuesday, recounting a recent exchange with Tillis. “I had it out with this guy two nights ago and he resigned, which I was happy about,” Trump remarked.
Tillis' decision to step away came just days after the Senate narrowly passed what Trump called his “one big, beautiful bill” — legislation that Tillis opposed because it altered Medicaid in ways harmful to his state.
That split placed Tillis directly in Trump’s crosshairs. The former president took to social media to hammer the senator for his rejection and rally support for the primary competition.
Now, Trump is suggesting a familiar last name to fill the void. “Somebody that would be great is Lara, she grew up there,” he said.
Lara Trump, wife of Trump’s second son Eric, has North Carolina roots but now resides in Florida. Still, the former president downplayed concerns about her residency, insisting she’s in the state often, knows it well, and has family there.
“She’s a great person, Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice,” he added, while acknowledging he hadn’t spoken to her yet about making a run.
If Trump’s suggestion caught insiders off guard, Lara Trump herself didn’t dismiss it. Speaking to Fox News Radio on Monday, she said the idea of running was “absolutely” something she would consider.
She emphasized that her political ambitions have been shaped by timing and family needs. Previously, those considerations had kept her out of similar races in both Florida and North Carolina.
Under U.S. Senate rules, candidates are only required to be residents of the state at the time of the election — a detail that keeps the door wide open for her, should she choose to walk through it.
At least one prominent voice in North Carolina politics didn’t wait long to get behind the potential newcomer. Rep. Pat Harrigan took to social media to offer his immediate backing for a possible Lara Trump campaign.
“Let me be crystal clear about something,” Harrigan wrote. “If @LaraLeaTrump enters this race, I’ll be the first to endorse her and the first to fight for her victory.”
That kind of early enthusiasm suggests Trump’s political capital remains potent within the party’s base, especially in a battleground state like North Carolina, where name recognition and MAGA loyalty still move numbers.
Recent history supports the idea that Trump’s endorsement can pack a punch. When Trump backed Ted Budd in North Carolina’s 2022 GOP primary, Budd walked away with a commanding 30-point win in the nomination.
Should Lara Trump decide to enter the 2026 race, she would bring not only the Trump brand but also her experience as a former Republican National Committee co-chair and current Fox News host — roles that have kept her active in conservative politics.
Still, Trump himself noted that others in the North Carolina congressional delegation may also be eyeing the soon-to-be-open Senate seat, potentially setting up a fierce primary battleground.
With Republicans currently holding a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate, control of the chamber hangs on a handful of hotly contested races, making North Carolina's open seat even more consequential.
While Tillis departs amid conflict, the GOP’s future in the state could very well be shaped by whether the party unifies behind a candidate with deep support, or fractures in a crowded field.
Lara Trump offers a unique mix: political familiarity, media savvy, and the backing of the most influential figure in conservative politics. If she decides to run, she may quickly become the candidate to beat.