Roy Cooper

FILE - In this photo taken Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory participates during a University of North Carolina Institute of Politics forum in Chapel Hill, N.C. McCrory said on Thursday, July 22, 2021 that he wants to participate in three televised debates ahead of the 2022 primaries, including one in late fall and two early next year. He is competing against U.S. Rep. Ted Budd and former Rep. Marker Walker in his bid for the Republican Party's nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, file)

3 Republicans vie for N.C. Senate nomination

The power of 45th President Donald Trump’s influence could be put on full display in North Carolina’s Republican primary. He choose to endorse Republican Rep. Ted Budd in June at the state convention. Trump said while he thinks the other candidates are great people, they do not have a chance to win in the general election.