(Daily Signal)—In the wake of North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek reelection in 2026, the GOP is holding out for a hero who can defend the Republican majority in the purple state.
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told The Daily Signal Tuesday that a winning candidate in the Tarheel State must be honest and pro-Trump.
“I think they just need to have the quality of being genuine. Telling people the facts, letting people understand what’s going on, making sure that they recognize that we believe in President [Donald] Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda. And that wins in North Carolina,” he said.
Tillis, who has been willing to work occasionally with Democrats and criticize fellow Republicans, announced June 29 he would not seek reelection next year after he voted against a motion to proceed with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed anyway.
His main concerns were over the bill’s restructuring of Medicaid, which he thinks could lead to excessive coverage losses. Shortly after Tillis’ “no” vote, Trump threatened to recruit and support a GOP primary challenger against him.
Republicans Need to Lean Into Trump’s ‘America First’ Agenda If They’re Going to Keep the Senate, Says @RepMarkHarrisNC
After Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced that he would not seek a third term, Congressional Republicans have been weighing in on who should replace him. Rep.… pic.twitter.com/CYP8e7RuuA
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) July 16, 2025
In Harris’ view, the proof of a pro-Trump candidate’s appeal in North Carolina can be found in the president’s year-after-year success there.
“[Trump’s] won every time he’s run in that state, and I have no doubt that he’s going to play a major role,” Harris said of Trump.
He noted that Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, who served as co-chairman of the Republican National Committee during the 2024 election and is now a Fox News show host, might be the right fit for North Carolina.
“You’ve heard conversation about the possibility of his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, possibly running. I don’t know if that will be what ends up happening, but I will say there is a great love in North Carolina for Donald Trump, because he says what he means, and he means what he says. And I think we just need a candidate for U.S. Senate that’s going to do that same thing,” said Harris.
Trump has expressed some openness to the idea of his daughter-in-law, who currently resides in Florida, running for office in her home state.
“Somebody who would really be great is Lara,” the president said shortly after Tillis’ announcement of his retirement plans. “She grew up there, but they live in Florida … . She did fantastically running the RNC … . I mean, that would always be my first choice, but she doesn’t live there now. But she’s there all the time.”
?BREAKING: President Trump urges Lara Trump to run for Senate in North Carolina to replace Thom Tillis:
“Somebody that would really be great is Lara. She’s a great person, Lara Trump. That would always be my first choice.”
pic.twitter.com/68PGa02f1W— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 1, 2025
Trump added, “I don’t know who the candidates are going to be. I think you’re going to have one of the congressmen step up.”
Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who represents most of the state’s coastline area, told The Daily Signal he had some sympathy for Tillis.
“I think Sen. Tillis, his heart was in the right place. He and I agree on many, many issues. I think he had probably just pulled the plug, and it was time for him,” said Murphy.
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is OUT. Who’s Next?
At the height of the fight over the Big Beautiful Bill, Sen. Thom TIllis, R-Nc, announced that he would not seek reelection.
North Carolina, known for being a relatively purple state, will need a Republican senatorial… pic.twitter.com/CZSOHhO80t
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) July 16, 2025
In Murphy’s view, the ideal candidate would possess bipartisan instincts, while also backing conservative priorities.
“We need to have a Republican that can beat the presumed nominee of the Democrat Party, Roy Cooper, who’s the former governor,” he said. “Someone who understands how to navigate in a bipartisan manner. But in a conservative, bipartisan manner so that we keep the Senate and we can actually do things that are good for the country.”
Tillis’ office did not respond to a request for comment on his preferred successor.
On Sunday, he also wouldn’t state definitively to reporters whether he would back anyone for the seat.
“Dependent upon whether or not President Trump endorses somebody, it could be an open primary,” he said. “He could close it out and the party could get behind it, I suspect that’s what they do. I just really hope he has some discernment because obviously Mark Robinson was a bad pick.”
Then-Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson ran for governor in 2024, but his candidacy was derailed by allegations that he made embarrassing and extremist comments in an online pornographic chat room under the username of “minisoldr.”
Thanks for the retirement wishes, Mr. President, looking forward to working with you for a successful 2026. Word to the wise, let’s avoid minisoldr. https://t.co/r703B8fEys
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) June 29, 2025
“Thanks for the retirement wishes, Mr. President, looking forward to working with you for a successful 2026,” wrote Tillis shortly after dropping out of the race in June. “Word to the wise, let’s avoid minisoldr.”
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.