President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Thursday said she would not run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina next year, setting the stage for an expected matchup of former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.

The president’s daughter-in-law confirms she will not run for the open U.S. Senate race in North Carolina. Her Republican Party co-chair Michael Whatley is set to run.

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.