Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he thinks Lara Trump would benefit most from Trump’s impeachment because of the backlash from the GOP base. Burr’s vote to convict drew an immediate censure from the North Carolina Republican Party, and it made Lara Trump “almost the certain nominee” in North Carolina if she runs, Graham said.
“The biggest winner I think of this whole impeachment trial is Lara Trump,” Graham said on “Fox News Sunday.”
“I think she represents the future of the Republican Party.”
It would likely be a crowded GOP primary if Lara Trump ran, with former Republican Representative Mark Walker already announced and several other candidates weighing a run, said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College in North Carolina. She would have to prove as a first-time candidate that she has campaign skills and policy chops to win, Bitzer said.
“The name carries weight, but ultimately she’s going to have to stand on her own when it comes to policy issues, when it comes to perspective,” he said. “She could mirror Donald’s philosophies and campaign strategy, but it’s ultimately going to be her name on the ballot.”
There will likely be candidates in 2022 who served in the Trump administration or are close to him, such as former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who’s running for Arkansas governor, said Republican consultant Scott Reed, the former chief political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
But there’s a big difference between talking about running and actually announcing a candidacy and putting in the time and effort needed to win, Reed said.
“Lots of men and women have made careers on talking about running and never pulling the trigger,” he said.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.