Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, will not be pursuing a run for retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' seat. Why it matters: The announcement comes after multiple outlets reported RNC chair Michael Whatley will join the race.

Michael Whatley announced Thursday afternoon that he is running for the U.S. senate seat currently occupied by Thom Tillis.

Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has decided to quit his bid for a Senate seat in North Carolina after Democrat Roy Cooper announced his candidacy.