Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has announced his plan to retire, and there is now speculation that President Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, will run for his seat. Newsmax’s John Gizzi reports:
“Lara Trump would clear the field — no question about it!” veteran Raleigh policy analyst Marc Rotterman told Newsmax. “She is beloved here in North Carolina, and the base that loves her father [in-law] would embrace her.”
(Regarding Tillis, whose vote against Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on Saturday evening provoked the president’s wrath and vow to campaign against him, Rotterman said: “The [conservative] base here views him as [former Utah Sen.] Mitt Romney without the hair gel!”)
Although Lara Trump’s roots in the Tarheel State are well-known, the wife of businessman Eric Trump and mother of two is now a resident of Florida. She floated her name for appointment to the Senate seat of Marco Rubio when he was named secretary of state late last year, but quickly removed herself from consideration.
While Rotterman and other seasoned observers of North Carolina agree a bid by Lara Trump would clear the GOP primary field, they also agree a decision by her to pass on the race would almost ensure a crowded and possibly divisive primary.
Read more here.
