In the wake of North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek reelection in 2026, the GOP is holding out for a hero who can defend the Republican majority in the purple state.
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told The Daily Signal Tuesday that a winning candidate in the Tarheel State must be honest and pro-Trump.
“I think they just need to have the quality of being genuine. Telling people the facts, letting people understand what’s going on, making sure that they recognize that we believe in President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda. And that wins in North Carolina,” he said.
Tillis, who has been willing to work occasionally with Democrats and criticize fellow Republicans, announced June 29 he would not seek reelection next year after he voted against a motion to proceed with the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which passed anyway.
His main concerns were over the bill’s restructuring of Medicaid, which he thinks could lead to excessive coverage losses. Shortly after Tillis’ ‘no’ vote, Trump threatened to recruit and support a GOP primary challenger against him.
In Harris’ view, the proof of a pro-Trump candidate’s appeal in North Carolina can be found in the president’s year-after-year success there.
“[Trump’s] won every time he’s run in that state, and I have no doubt that he’s going to play a major role,” Harris said of Trump.
He noted that Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in law, who served as co-chairman of the Republican National Committee during the 2024 election and is now a Fox News show host, might be the right fit for North Carolina.
“You’ve heard conversation about the possibility of his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, possibly running. I don’t know if that will be what ends up happening, but I will say there is a great love in North Carolina for Donald Trump, because he says what he means, and he means what he says. And I think we just need a candidate for U.S. Senate that’s going to do that same thing,” said Harris.
President Trump has expressed some openness to the idea of his daughter-in-law, who currently resides in Florida, running for office in her home state.
“Somebody who would really be great is Lara,” the president said shortly after Tillis’ announcement of his retirement plans. “She grew up there, but they live in Florida … . She did fantastically running the RNC … . I mean, that would always be my first choice, but she doesn’t live there now. But she’s there all the time.”
Trump added, “I don’t know who the candidates are going to be. I think you’re going to have one of the congressmen step up.”
Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who represents most of the state’s coastline area, told The Daily Signal he had some sympathy for Tillis.
“I think Sen. Tillis, his heart was in the right place. He and I agree on many, many issues. I think he had probably just pulled the plug, and it was time for him,” said Murphy.
In Murphy’s view, the ideal candidate would possess bipartisan instincts, while also backing conservative priorities.
“We need to have a Republican that can beat the presumed nominee of the Democrat Party, Roy Cooper, who’s the former governor,” he said. “Someone who understands how to navigate in a bipartisan manner. But in a conservative, bipartisan manner so that we keep the Senate and we can actually do things that are good for the country.”
Tillis’ office did not respond to a request for comment on his preferred successor.
On Sunday, he also wouldn’t state definitively to reporters whether he would back anyone for the seat.
Dependent upon whether or not President Trump endorses somebody, it could be an open primary,” he said. “He could close it out and the party could get behind it, I suspect that’s what they do. I just really hope he has some discernment because obviously Mark Robinson was a bad pick.”
Then-Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson ran for governor in 2024, but his candidacy was derailed by allegations he made embarrassing and extremist comments in an online pornographic chat room under the username of “minisoldr.”
“Thanks for the retirement wishes, Mr. President, looking forward to working with you for a successful 2026,” wrote Tillis shortly after dropping out of the race in June. “Word to the wise, let’s avoid minisoldr.”
