WASHINGTON _ Lara Trump says she will not run for Congress in the New York district that is currently represented by Republican Rep. Peter King.
King is not seeking reelection in the congressional district that is east of Manhattan and includes part of Long Island. A poll of Republican primary voters conducted by WPA Intelligence on behalf of Club for Growth PAC in November found that the president's daughter-in-law would be a strong competitor in the 2nd Congressional District.
But she told McClatchy in an interview Wednesday that while she could run for Congress at some point, she is not eyeing King's seat.
"No, I am not. And you're right. I do not live in that district. Honestly, I can't think of something more flattering than for people to have shown such great support. That's so nice. I never really considered that I would have that much support out there," she said.
Trump is married to the president's son, Eric, and they reside in New York City.
Club for Growth PAC found that Trump would pull 53% of the vote in a primary against former Republican Rep. Rick Lazio, who had 19% support. Another 28% said they were undecided.
David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth, told McClatchy that Lara Trump never gave the organization that raises money for fiscally conservative political candidates any indication that she was mulling a run.
"Now this was kind of us thinking, OK, there's this vacancy. We've followed her and her work up in New York, and we just thought it would be great to poll it and let her know there'd be strong support," he said.
In response to Trump's declaration to McClatchy that she does not plan to seek office at this time, McIntosh said, "We fully understand. We think she would be a great congresswoman and hope that she will consider to run when future opportunities come up."
Trump suggested she would like to run for Congress in the future.
"If there were ever an opportunity for me to represent people of this country in the place that I live, it would be an honor to do it, and I would never close the door on that," she said. "But currently, I am very, very focused on making sure that we get four more years with President Donald Trump."
