By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Concealed RepublicanConcealed Republican
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
Reading: Battle For Open North Carolina Senate Seat Poised To Be Hotly Contested
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Concealed RepublicanConcealed Republican
  • News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Concealed Republican > Blog > Politics > Battle For Open North Carolina Senate Seat Poised To Be Hotly Contested
Politics

Battle For Open North Carolina Senate Seat Poised To Be Hotly Contested

Jim Taft
Last updated: July 1, 2025 7:15 pm
By Jim Taft 6 Min Read
Share
Battle For Open North Carolina Senate Seat Poised To Be Hotly Contested
SHARE

The race to succeed retiring Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is shaping up to be highly competitive mere days after he announced his retirement.

On Sunday, Tillis announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026, shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary challenger against the senator over his decision to vote against advancing the president’s megabill. Tillis’ surprise retirement announcement has spurred speculation that the GOP primary for his open Senate seat will be hotly contested.

Some names that have been floated as potential contenders to succeed Tillis include Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Michael Whatley, former RNC co-chair Lara Trump — the president’s daughter-in-law — as well as Republican North Carolina Reps. Richard Hudson and Pat Harrigan. (RELATED: ‘Runaway Favorite’: CNN’s Harry Enten Teases Which Trump Could Dominate NC Senate GOP Primary)

Who should run for Thom Tillis’ seat in the GOP primary?

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 30, 2025

Whatley and Mrs. Trump served as the RNC’s chairman and co-chair, respectively, during the 2024 presidential election, which saw the Republican Party regain the presidency and the Senate, in addition to holding the House.

Moreover, Whatley served as the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 to 2024, and is considered a close Trump ally.

“Chairman Whatley is honored to have been asked by President Trump to serve as the chair of the RNC following a hugely successful 2024 cycle,” a source close to the RNC told the DCNF. “Chairman Whatley is focused on serving the president and working with his team to protect and expand our Republican majorities in the midterms.”

Mrs. Trump — who notably considered launching a bid for North Carolina’s Senate race in 2021 — is “strongly considering” entering the 2026 contest, NBC News reported on Sunday. Several potential Republican candidates are waiting to see if the president’s daughter-in-law will jump into the state’s Senate race before making their own bids, some anonymous sources told Politico. Mrs. Trump could not immediately be reached for comment.

Harrigan was elected in 2024 to represent North Carolina’s 10th congressional district. A source close to Harrigan told the DCNF that “Congressman Harrigan is eyeing a run for the Tillis seat.”

Still, Harrigan wrote Tuesday in a post to X that if Mrs. Trump “enters this race, I’ll be the first to endorse her and the first to fight for her victory.”

North Carolina is viewed as a key battleground state in the 2026 midterms. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump narrowly won the state during the 2024 presidential election, securing 51% of the vote to former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 47.8%.

Hudson has represented North Carolina’s 9th congressional district since 2013, and is also the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). He is also viewed as a strong ally to the president. The congressman’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Republicans are looking to maintain control of their majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. While the Democratic Party is hoping to win back control in the Senate in 2026, some party leaders have signaled doubt that they will be able to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterms.

Tillis’ seat is widely viewed as essential for the Democrats’ longshot hopes of retaking the Senate in the midterms. Former one-term Democratic North Carolina Rep. Wiley Nickel announced a run for the seat in April, months before the incumbent senator’s retirement announcement. Furthermore, former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper may enter the race, according to reports from Axios.

“President Trump has won North Carolina three times, and the state’s been represented by two Republican Senators for over a decade,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Tim Scott said Sunday in a statement provided to the DCNF. “That streak will continue in 2026 when North Carolinians elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.”

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].



Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

‘Deep State Bloodbath’ Continues as Trump Takes Aim at the J6 Prosecutors [WATCH]

Trump Admin Cuts Red Tape and Saves Taxpayer Money [WATCH]

Trump Flirts With Repeating Republicans’ Greatest Blunder

Live From New York, It’s Lawfare Day! UPDATE: Trump Thanks SCOTUS?

FACT CHECK: Did The Italian Bishops And The Vatican Allow Gay Men To Become Priests If They Remain Celibate?

Share This Article
Facebook X Email Print
Previous Article Indianapolis Teen with Machine Gun Arrested Twice in 48 Hours Indianapolis Teen with Machine Gun Arrested Twice in 48 Hours
Next Article More Coming Out on the Idaho Shooter More Coming Out on the Idaho Shooter
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Latest News

Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues
Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues
News
Devious AI models choose blackmail when survival is threatened
Devious AI models choose blackmail when survival is threatened
News
Gun Community Sues The ATF In Response To Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill
Gun Community Sues The ATF In Response To Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill
Videos
Free Gun Locks Initiative Launched by PILLAR in Laredo
Free Gun Locks Initiative Launched by PILLAR in Laredo
Guns
Two U.S. Vets Injured by Hamas Grenades While Delivering Food in Gaza [WATCH]
Two U.S. Vets Injured by Hamas Grenades While Delivering Food in Gaza [WATCH]
Politics
China hosts first AI-powered soccer tournament with autonomous robots
China hosts first AI-powered soccer tournament with autonomous robots
News
© 2025 Concealed Republican. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?