Following her announcement on Thursday that she will not compete for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, paved the way for a potentially intense race between Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.
I have made the decision not to run for the US Senate position in North Carolina at this time after giving it careful thought and having sincere conversations with my loved ones. On X, Lara Trump wrote.
After Senator Thom Tillischoice decided not to run for reelection, her choice changes the political scene in one of the most closely watched Senate elections in the country. North Carolina is regarded as a crucial battleground in the 2026 midterm elections, and Republicans presently possess a 53–47 advantage in the Senate.
Although neither Whatley nor Cooper have made a formal announcement, numerous media sites have stated that they are both getting ready to start their campaigns. If verified, their contest would put two seasoned political strategists with very different national profiles and styles against one another.
A Crucial Senate Battleground
Political analysts rank North Carolina as one of the six most competitive Senate races, along with Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. The stakes are high: Democrats must win at least four GOP-held seats in order to retake the house, in addition to defending vulnerable seats in places like Michigan and Minnesota where members are retiring.
Although redistricting initiatives in Republican strongholds like Texas could make that approach more difficult, Democrats are more hopeful about their prospects in the House of Representatives.
Fallout From a Contentious Bill
After receiving criticism from conservatives, especially President Trump, for opposing a comprehensive tax-cut bill that was passed on July 1, Senator Tillis decided to resign. The plan drew harsh condemnation from both parties and drastically reduced Medicaid funding.
In support of his vote, Tillis cautioned that it would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, especially our rural areas and hospitals.
In a July 3 social media post, Cooper again attacked the proposal, saying it hurts working people, veterans, children, and elders in order to give the wealthy large tax advantages.
Whatley Signals Aggressive Strategy
Whatley hasn’t officially entered the contest yet, but his recent statements give an indication of how he might run. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, was criticized by the RNC head on Monday for how he would present a challenge to Cooper.
According to Whatley, she is a radical lefty who supports DEI and is open-borders. She ranked America last in Congress and would do the same if elected governor.
If both men enter the race, North Carolina could once again become the epicenter of a fiercely contested national election fight with control of the Senate potentially hanging in the balance.
