RNC chair expected to run for Senate in North Carolina as Lara Trump opts out
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley intends to run for Senate in North Carolina, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
The source said President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has decided not to run, and Whatley would have the White House's full support. A separate source familiar with the matter said Trump conveyed to Whatley in a direct discussion this week that he supported him for the seat.
Whatley's expected run comes after Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., unexpectedly announced late last month that he would not seek re-election, making the race to fill the seat one to watch in the 2026 midterms.
The RNC chair's decision was first reported by Politico. An RNC spokesperson did not immediately provide a comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for further details about the president's conversation with Whatley.
NBC News previously reported that former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, also plans to launch a Senate campaign. Whatley and Cooper are expected to be the top contenders in the high-stakes race in the battleground state.
Lara Trump had also been considering a run, and she told NBC News last week that she was hoping to make a decision by Thanksgiving. Her spokesperson declined to comment after reports of Whatley's expected run.
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