President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, is reportedly considering a 2022 Senate run in her home state of North Carolina, according to the New York Times.
Three allies close to Lara Trump—the wife of the president’s son Eric—told the publication that she is considering running to replace Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who plans to retire at the end of his term.
The state has never been reliably red or blue, wavering between conservatives like Jesse Helms and liberals like John Edwards in years past.
Although voters re-elected Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper in the Nov. 3 election, the Tarheel State has tended to lean more toward the Republican column in national races.
But the gap may be narrowing with demographic changes. President Trump only won the state by about 1.3 percentage points in 2020, a smaller margin than his 2016 victory.
Lara Trump has been involved in President Trump’s campaign since he took office four years ago. Mercedes Schlapp, a Trump campaign adviser, called her “very charismatic” with a “natural instinct for politics.”
“In North Carolina, in particular, she’s a household name and people know her,” Schlapp told the Times. “She worked really hard on the campaign and was very involved in a lot of decisions throughout.”
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said that if Lara Trump does decide to run, she “would be formidable.”
“She has the trifecta: She can raise money, raise awareness of key issues and raise attention to her race,” Conway said. “Unlike many typical politicians, she connects with people and is a compelling messenger.”
A few other North Carolina Republicans are expected to throw their hats in the ring, according to the Times.
Rep. Mark Walker, has floated a potential run, as have White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former Gov. Pat McCrory, and recent gubernatorial candidate Dan Forest, who currently has been serving as the lieutenant governor.
Trump’s allies also suspect that Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s daughter, and his son, Donald Trump Jr., will enter the political fray at some point.
But people close to Ivanka Trump said she has no intention of running for office in the near future, and Donald Trump Jr. is busy aiding his father’s reelection efforts.
