Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, addressed growing speculation Wednesday night that she may run to replace retiring Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). Speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump confirmed that the possibility is “very fresh” and under active consideration by her and her family.
Her comments follow a report from NBC News citing an anonymous source who claimed a potential Lara Trump Senate bid was “as close to a done deal as it gets,” noting her entrance would likely clear the Republican primary field.
“I’d put it as high as one could be considering it,” the source told NBC’s Vaughn Hillyard. “The race will be over before it begins.”
Pressed by Hannity, who alluded to a private family conversation involving Lara, Eric Trump, and the president, Trump acknowledged that Tillis’ retirement opens a door for stronger conservative representation in the state.
“Clearly North Carolina needs someone to represent them. Thom Tillis has not done a great job,” she said bluntly.
Trump, a North Carolina native and graduate of the University of North Carolina, had previously explored a Senate run in 2022 and was also floated as a potential replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio in Florida—though she ultimately withdrew from both conversations.
“This is new. It’s all very fresh. This all happened over the weekend so there’s a lot to process,” she told Hannity. “What I can tell you is I have seen how service can impact so many people’s lives. I look at my father-in-law as the greatest example of that.”
Trump emphasized that a final decision would involve broader family discussion, adding that while she’s not ready to announce a campaign, the door is far from closed.
“If I ever have the opportunity to represent the people of my home state in North Carolina, it would be a great honor of mine,” she said.
Should she run, Lara Trump enters the field as the presumptive frontrunner. A poll conducted by Victory Insights late last year showed Trump capturing 65% support in a hypothetical primary against Tillis, who garnered just 11%. Though Tillis has since announced his retirement, the numbers indicate strong grassroots enthusiasm for Trump among Republican voters in North Carolina.
