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North Carolina is likely to be a prime target for Democrats next year, as both parties fight to replace Senator Richard Burr, who is not running for a fourth term. Democrats will either seek to defend a 50-50 majority in the Senate or capture the House of Republicans, depending on the outcome of the two Senate rounds in Georgia in January. Tillis narrowly beat Democrat Cal Cunningham last month in what has become the most expensive Senate race of all time, with nearly $ 300 million spent in total.
Walker is one of the Republicans eyeing the seat in what could turn out to be a crowded primary. Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and native of North Carolina, is considering running, and there are a handful of other potential GOP primary contenders, including former Gov. Pat McCrory.
In an interview with Fox News Channel last month, Lara Trump said North Carolina was “near and dear to her” and that it would be “an honor” to run for the Senate, but did not announce her intentions.
Walker said his considerations had not changed his plans or timing for the announcement. He acknowledged a likely crowded GOP primary, but said his record in the House would give him an advantage.
“We’ve been planning this for a few weeks before we hear anything about the possibility of going back to North Carolina to run,” Walker said. “I have only good things to say about the whole family, but that doesn’t deter us one way or the other.”
Walker also said he texted with Tillis, who he briefly saw as a challenge last year. He said at the time that he was concerned about the Republicans’ ability to occupy the seat.
“If you’ve ever watched a presidential debate in a primary and then how everyone becomes best friends after that, that’s the way the political arena plays out,” Walker said. “None of this was personal to considerations of the past. We just wanted to make sure this seat didn’t fall into Chuck Schumer’s hands.”
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