Lara Trump, RNC Chair Whatley emerge on shortlist as replacement for retiring GOP NC Sen Tillis

North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis's announcement Sunday that he will not seek 2026 reelection has resulted in the expected shortlist of likely Republican candidates to replace him – including marque names Lara Trump and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.  

Tillis announced his retirement after voting against advancing President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in the Senate on Saturday evening, then Trump vowing to field a primary challenger to his reelection. 

"In Washington over the last few years, it's become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species," Tillis said when announcing his retirement.

Before Tillis announced his retirement, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against 'Senator Thom' Tillis. I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America."

Other possible candidates include National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, and North Carolina GOP Rep. Pat Harrigan, according to Punchbowl News. Tillis' successor will likely be heavily determined by whoever Trump endorses.

Trump, a North Carolina native, is a former Republican National Committee co-chairperson. She is married to Eric Trump, the third child of President Trump.

North Carolina GOP Rep. Tim Moore (R-N.C.), former Rep. George Holding – who serves on the board of the Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. – and Rep. Addison McDowell are also possibilities.

On Sunday, Tillis wouldn't say whether he plans to endorse a successor, saying his decision would depend on who runs. He said that he suspects the party will get behind whoever Trump will likely endorse, but warned the president not to make a similar mistake that he did in 2024, when he endorsed Mark Robinson for governor.

Robinson lost in large part after news reports he made  inflammatory comments more than a decade ago on a pornography website’s message board.