Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is expected to jump into the North Carolina Senate race after Lara Trump once again decided to pass on a run.

Whatley previously met with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott about a potential Senate run in North Carolina, and the NRSC had been floating Whatley as a possible replacement for Tillis since January, according to a GOP operative. Tillis did not announce his plans to not seek re-election until months later.