In recent months, the Republican primary for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat has only escalated as candidates jockey for Former President Trump’s approval. Now, as he returns to North Carolina, his endorsement looms even larger. 

In the race to get the most coveted endorsement in the Republican party, Mark Walker and Ted Budd have already made a trip to Mar-a-Lago to make their case, while firing not so subtle warning shots to try to “contrast their candidates with McCrory” and prove their loyalty to the former president. 

His speech is sure to cause additional fodder for the GOP primary rivals, as one Republican donor says he’ll use his speech to “spray friendly fire on other Republicans and settle scores under the auspices of endorsing people in Republican primaries for 2022.”

“Trump’s dominating influence over the North Carolina Republican Party today has left Senate candidates tripping over themselves to win over his support, and the convention will only escalate the brewing tensions,” said Kate Frauenfelder, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Democratic Party. “While the Republican primary continues to devolve into chaos and inter party feuding that ignores the needs of North Carolina voters, President Biden and Democrats are focused on delivering on their promises and getting our country back on track.” 

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