The race to replace one of the Senate’s most notorious RINOs to save a seat that could determine the balance of power in the Senate next fall is already heating up, with the president’s daughter-in-law potentially in the mix.
On Sunday, Tillis announced that he would not seek re-election after knifing President Trump in the back by voting against the “Big, Beautiful Bill” last night.
“As many of my colleagues have noticed over the last year, and at times even joked about, I haven’t exactly been excited about running for another term,” Tillis said in a statement. “That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life, Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home. It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.”
This is, of course, all garbage. We all know the reason Tillis is retiring is because Trump threatened to primary him for his disgraceful betrayal.
With Tillis out of the way, attention now turns to which Republican will replace the disgraceful RINO. And names are already starting to emerge.
Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News reported this afternoon that two names have already emerged as possible candidates for the seat: GOP Rep. Pat Harrigan and RNC Chair Michael Whatley, a key Trump ally.
N.C. SENATE — Already a lot of buzz about Rep. PAT HARRIGAN and RNC Chair MICHAEL WHATLEY.
Harrigan is a freshman Republican, graduate of West Point.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 29, 2025
In fact, Whatley is already reportedly considering a bid for the seat.
News: RNC Chair Michael Whatley is considering a bid for Senate in NC to replace Tillis, per a source.
Whatley previously was the chair of the NC GOP
— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) June 29, 2025
Leigh Ann Caldwell of Puck News confirmed Sherman’s reporting on Harrigan and Whatley, then added four more: Rep. Richard Hudson, Former Rep. Patrick McHenry, Lara Trump, and Rep. Addison McDowell. That’s a total of six.
Names I’m hearing from campaign/NC sources on potential Republicans to run for Tillis seat:
Rep. Richard Hudson
Former Rep. Patrick McHenry
Lara Trump
RNC Chair Michael Whatley
Rep. Pat Harrigan
Rep. Addison McDowell
The goal: ensure Senate R’s and Trump are on the same page— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) June 29, 2025
Lara Trump is reportedly seriously considering a bid, according to NOTUS.
News: Lara Trump is seriously considering a bid for NC Senate, per source.
The president’s daughter-in-law previously served as RNC co-chair.
— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) June 29, 2025
Whatley is likely a strong candidate whom MAGA Nation and Trump could embrace. Back in February 2024, Trump endorsed Whatley to succeed the worthless Ronna McDaniel as chair of the RNC.
One month later, Whatley was elected as the new chair of the RNC, along with the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as his co-chair. Together, they helped lead the President to a historic victory in the 2024 elections while actually taking the key issue of voter fraud seriously.
Trump had nothing but praise for Whatley following the 2024 election and said he would endorse him for another term as RNC Chairman. In January 2025, Whatley was re-elected.
However, there is no way Trump will pass on backing Lara if she throws her hat in the ring.
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