“She hasn’t lived in the state in more than a decade, has never held political office and hasn’t said whether she’ll run, but Lara Trump’s possible campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat has for months loomed over the GOP field of would-be candidates. Former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law – a North Carolina native – is seen both inside and outside the state as the candidate to beat, if she enters the contest. ‘A Trump-endorsed candidate for an open Senate seat in a state Trump won is a big advantage. A Trump-endorsed candidate for an open Senate seat in a state Trump won who’s also named Trump has a humongous advantage,’ said Kellyanne Conway, who was counselor to Trump for much of his four years in office. Yet, with Lara Trump still on the sidelines and landing a new gig on Fox News, Republican candidates are preparing to move on without her” the Charlotte Observer reports.

“Three-term U.S. Rep. Ted Budd is now ‘leaning towards’ running for the Senate seat – an indication that Trump may not enter the race for several months or at all. Budd’s campaign consultant and a top Republican donor indicated they’d like to see just one of the two in the race to replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr. Trump, by virtue of her high name ID and the enduring popularity of Donald Trump among Republican primary voters, could enter the race later than other potential candidates and still garner enough donor and voter support to be competitive. The filing deadline is not until December. A spokeswoman for Lara Trump did not respond to a request for comment on the Senate race. The possibility that Trump could run has kept close friends and allies of the Trump family from endorsing or working for her potential rivals such as Budd – so far. When Budd won his U.S. House seat in 2016, Club For Growth spent about $500,000 to boost him out of a 17-way Republican primary. The conservative group is again poised to back him but doesn’t want to choose between Budd and Trump. ‘It would be best if they weren’t both running,’ Club for Growth President David McIntosh said. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker announced his candidacy in December. Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is expected to enter the race, as well. Another Republican, Jen Banwart of Raleigh, who has pledged not to accept campaign donations, is also running.”