Trump endorses Ted Budd for NC Senate seat after daughter-in-law Lara opts against running

Surprise endorsement of Congressman gets applause at state GOP convention.

Published: June 5, 2021 8:35pm

Updated: June 5, 2021 8:41pm

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday night offered his "complete and total endorsement" of Congressman Ted Budd for next year's Senate race in North Carolina after his daughter-in-law Lara ended months of speculation by declining to run for the seat.

The Trumps made the surprise announcement at the state's Republican convention. The former president said Budd had found out about the endorsement just minutes before the speech began.

Lara Trump said she was "saying no for now" to running for Senate in the state where she grew up but left open the possibility for the future. She said having twi young children, ages 1 and 3, was a major consideration in her decision

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