Pat Harrigan, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump: Republicans in run to fill Thom Tillis’ North Carolina seat
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina stated Sunday he won’t search reelection
Pat Harrigan and Lara Trump are within the run to fill Thom Tillis seat(X and Bloomberg)
“In Washington over the previous few years, it’s change into more and more evident that leaders who’re prepared to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and reveal impartial pondering have gotten an endangered species,” Tillis stated in a prolonged assertion on Sunday.
“Sometimes these bipartisan initiatives bought me into bother with my very own celebration, however I wouldn’t have modified a single one.”
Breakdown of candidates that would exchange Sen Thom Tillis
Speculated GOP contenders embrace Rep Richard Hudson, former Rep Patrick McHenry, Lara Trump, RNC Chair Michael Whatley, Rep Pat Harrigan, and Rep Addison McDowell.
Rep Richard Hudson
US Representative for North Carolina’s ninth District (2013–current), born November 4, 1971, in Franklin, Virginia, and a Charlotte resident since childhood. A UNC-Charlotte graduate, Hudson served as district director for Rep Robin Hayes and chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee (2023–2026).
Hudson’s re-election announcement for his House seat in 2026 prompt he’s not at the moment eyeing Tillis’s seat, however experiences point out that he would possibly change his thoughts.
Former Rep Patrick McHenry
Served as US Representative for North Carolina’s tenth District (2005–2025), born October 22, 1975. McHenry chaired the House Financial Services Committee (2023–2025) and briefly acted as Speaker professional tempore in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy’s ousting. He retired in 2025, citing household priorities.
McHenry’s decade-long tenure and interim Speaker position give him title recognition, however no formal Senate candidacy has been introduced.
Lara Trump
Former RNC co-chair (2024–2025), born October 12, 1982, in Wilmington, NC, and daughter-in-law of Donald Trump. A Victory Insights ballot (November 2024) confirmed her main Tillis 65% to 11% in a hypothetical main.
RNC Chair Michael Whatley
RNC chairman since March 2024, born in Watauga County, NC. He led the North Carolina GOP (2019–2024) and served as RNC normal counsel, backing Trump’s 2020 election fraud claims.
Rep Pat Harrigan
US Representative for North Carolina’s tenth District (2025–current), a former Green Beret and firearms producer, born in 1979. He received McHenry’s open seat in 2024.
Rep Addison McDowell
US Representative for North Carolina’s sixth District (2025–current), a political newcomer and former aide to Rep Richard Hudson and Sen Ted Budd. Trump-endorsed, he received an open seat in 2024.
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