If Lara Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, runs for the Republican nomination for Senate in North Carolina, she could easily clear the field.
The rest of the potential Republican field remains at a standstill as they wait for her decision, Politico reported.
"The field is gonna be frozen," one political operative close to the White House told Politico. "She has the right of first refusal."
Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, is also interested in the seat but won't jump in until he knows Lara's decision, Politico reported, citing two people.
Other Republicans are eyeing the seat but won't ask for the president's endorsement until Lara decides, according to Politico.
"I think people are really smart enough to not go in there," a person close to the White House told Politico. "Everybody's kind of just been like, It's Lara's if she wants it. The ball is in Lara Trump's court. It's that simple."
Lara has been considering a run and fielding calls from senators encouraging her to run, Politico reported. In 2021, she declined to run in the race to replace retiring Richard Burr.
A person close to her told Politico they were skeptical she'd enter the race, given she has young children and makes money doing TV and podcasts. It is unknown when she will make up her mind, sources told Politico.
Republicans in North Carolina disagree on whether she'd be the best candidate for the perennial swing state, with one saying she is too MAGA for the Tar Heel State, while others have noted her fundraising prowess and that her father-in-law won the state three times.
"It could be a tremendous asset," a GOP political operative told Politico. "It's not like the party elite would have concerns — between her time on her father-in-law's campaigns and her ability to raise cash, a lot of people think she'd be formidable."
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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