North Carolina is a pivotal battleground state and the Senate race is one of the premier contests of the upcoming midterm elections.

Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, plans to launch a campaign for Senate in North Carolina after Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, chose not to run, according to three people familiar with the decision who spoke on the condition of anonymity because his plans have not been publicly announced.

Michael Whatley, chairman of the national Republican Party, plans to run for an open Senate seat in North Carolina in 2026, with the blessing of President Donald Trump, after Trump’s daughter-in-law,