Rep. Mark Walker Bradley (Mark) Mark WalkerJoe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late Mike Johnson to run for vice chairman of House GOP conference The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington MORE (R-N.C.) will not challenge Sen. Thom Tillis Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisTillis appears to reinforce question about COVID-19 death toll Billionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden Collins: Winner of presidential election will be sworn in next year MORE (R-N.C.) in the 2020 Republican primary, sparing the state GOP a potentially bruising fight ahead of an election in which President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE will also be on the ballot.

“After prayerful reflection and consideration, I am confident that my continued service in the House will best help our efforts to reclaim the majority from Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE and advance our shared conservative goals,” Walker told Politico.

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Walker had reportedly seriously considered the primary challenge but wanted Trump’s approval first, meeting with him at the White House last month.

Republican leaders, however, had warned the president a protracted primary fight could affect the general election, in which the Tar Heel State will be key to both Trump’s electoral map and continued GOP control of the Senate, Politico noted.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE (R-Ky.) and Sen. Todd Young Todd Christopher YoungSenate GOP eyes early exit Why the US should rely more on strategy, not sanctions Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Ind.) have spoken with Trump to warn him about a primary battle and the importance of North Carolina in the 2020 cycle, according to Politico, which cites two sources familiar with the conversations.

A Walker spokesman told the news outlet that the congressman met with Tillis Wednesday afternoon to tell him he would not mount a challenge, adding that Walker is still seeking a second meeting with Trump to discuss his decision.

Walker said earlier this week that polling from the conservative Club for Growth indicated Tillis was vulnerable, according to Politico.

“Some of the numbers we have seen, the frustration levels from North Carolinians, just to be frank, it is concerning,” he said ahead of his decision.

Walker, however, would come with baggage of his own as a candidate, with Politico reporting in April that a political committee he controlled is named in a criminal indictment of former Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.).

Walker is not named in the indictment and has denied any wrongdoing, according to the news outlet.

Tillis, meanwhile, has been vocal in his support of Trump ahead of his reelection bid and pushed back against fellow North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Rep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy MORE’s (R) subpoena in April of Donald Trump Jr. Don John Trump'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic requests pardon from Trump: 'Be my hero please' Zaid Jilani discusses Trump's move to cancel racial sensitivity training at federal agencies Trump International Hotel in Vancouver closes permanently MORE Burr is the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.