Could Lara Trump, the dynamic daughter-in-law of President Trump, be the next big name to shake up North Carolina politics?
The Hill reported that as Republicans search for a strong contender to hold onto a crucial Senate seat, her potential candidacy is stirring excitement and speculation across the Tar Heel State. This isn’t just another political rumor—it’s a story with deep roots and high stakes.
With Sen. Thom Tillis opting out of reelection in 2026, Lara Trump, former RNC co-chair and wife of Eric Trump, has emerged as a top pick among GOP leaders to keep the seat in Republican hands, though her Florida residency and partisan image present hurdles.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage. Speculation about Lara Trump stepping into North Carolina’s political arena has been simmering for months, even before Tillis announced his exit. Her name has been floated for Senate races in the past, showing she’s no stranger to such buzz.
Back in 2022, Lara was considered a possible successor to former Sen. Richard Burr in North Carolina but passed on the opportunity, citing the challenges of campaigning with young children.
Instead, she threw her weight behind then-Rep. Ted Budd, who clinched the seat. As strategist Jonathan Felts recalled, “I know she’s told Ted, she’s all in for Ted.”
That endorsement showed her influence, but her own words from that time—“I am saying no for now, not no forever”—left the door cracked open. And isn’t that just the kind of tease that keeps political watchers on edge? It’s clear she’s been playing the long game, waiting for the right moment.
Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis eyed her for a Senate vacancy left by Marco Rubio, but she again stepped back despite strong encouragement.
That pattern of hesitation makes her current deliberation all the more intriguing. Will 2026 be her year to finally jump in?
Fast forward to now, and the buzz is louder than ever after Tillis’s decision not to run. A November survey by a Republican pollster showed Lara Trump dominating a hypothetical primary against Tillis himself, proving her name carries serious weight. President Trump even chimed in, saying, “She’s somebody that would really be great.”
But the president didn’t shy away from the obvious snag—“she doesn’t live there now.” He quickly countered that with, “she really knows North Carolina well,” pointing to her family ties and frequent presence in the state. It’s a fair point, but will voters see past the Florida address?
Republican leaders seem ready to roll out the red carpet. RNC Chair Michael Whatley told the Washington Examiner he’d defer to her, stating he expects the party to “coalesce behind her” if she runs. Even Rep. Pat Harrigan has said he’d step aside, signaling a clear path for her in the primary.
Yet, not everyone’s waving pom-poms. Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson warned, “I think Thom Tillis had a better shot at those voters than Lara Trump does.”
He argues she might come off as too much of a “partisan warrior” for the state’s moderate, unaffiliated voters who often decide tight races.
Jackson’s critique stings, but let’s unpack it. North Carolina is a battleground where elections hinge on candidate appeal, not just party loyalty, and portraying every issue as a cultural showdown won’t win over the middle. Republicans might counter that her energy could galvanize the base in a midterm slump.
Then there’s the residency question—Lara was born and raised in North Carolina but now calls Florida home. GOP insiders brush this off, likening her to Elizabeth Dole, who won a Senate seat in 2002 despite years away. A party insider noted, “She’s very well known,” and has kept grassroots connections alive through local events.
Her Trump connection is a double-edged sword, no doubt. While it could turbocharge turnout among loyal supporters, as one insider suggested it would bring out “enthusiastic Trump voters” in a midterm, it might alienate those wary of dynasty politics or hyper-partisanship. It’s a gamble, but one the GOP seems eager to take.
With Democrats potentially fielding heavyweights like former Gov. Roy Cooper, Republicans are banking on Lara Trump as their best shot.
Strategist Jonathan Felts put it bluntly: “If she were to announce right now, the place would just go insane.” That kind of enthusiasm isn’t something you manufacture—it’s a rare asset in a state Jackson calls “hard to win.”