Maybe not. I like Laura a lot but to be effective in the Senate you have to play well with others which is not necessarily Laura's long suite. I think she's doing just fine with her books, TV appearances and radio show.
“play well with others”
Times are different! The GOPe “played well” by caving on most, if not all, issues. And YOU want MORE of this!? We want fighters! FIGHTERS! Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Maybe she’s a one-termer who goes on to something else—governorship, president, whatever.
To be effective in the Senate coming out of 2018 you need to be a reliable conservative vote who helps to get Trump to 60 votes when needed. I have no question she would provide that.
She also immediately would be one of if not the best communicators in the Senate.