Lara Trump announced she will not run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, paving the way for a potential race between former Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run for the Senate in North Carolina, setting up a marquee race in next year’s midterms, two sources familiar with Whatley’s plans tell CNN.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will run for Senate in North Carolina. Whatley will be in a highly competitive and likely expensive race to replace Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who announced his retirement earlier this year.