Sen. JD Vance, former President Donald Trump's chosen running mate, is set to campaign in North Carolina this Thursday, with scheduled stops in Raleigh and Oakboro. According to WFMY News 2, Vance will begin his day with remarks at the Raleigh Union Station at 9 a.m., followed by a visit to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co. in Stanly County.

The campaign trail has heated to not only win voters over but to also reaffirm alliances in battleground territories. North Carolina, a state that gave Trump a narrow victory in 2020 by less than 1.5%, is once again a focal point for both parties. "Vance has appeared at numerous campaign events since getting the nod to be Trump's running mate," WCNC reports.

The same day as Vance's Raleigh event, Vice President Kamala Harris had originally planned to campaign in the city with her yet-to-be-announced running mate. However, this stop has been postponed due to the impending Tropical Storm Debby. The Vice President's office has confirmed that Harris plans to continue her campaign by visiting several other key cities across the nation.

While Tropical Storm Debby has forced Harris to reschedule her Raleigh appearance, it is seen as imperative for both parties to build a visible presence across critical swing states. Vance, also set to swing by major cities such as Philadelphia and Detroit, is targeted to tap into voter bases that could potentially sway the outcome of the election. "Democrats have been laser-focused on flipping North Carolina blue in this year’s presidential election," according to an article by The Charlotte Observer. North Carolina's narrow margin in the previous election demonstrates its significance on the electoral map.

The vice-presidential candidacies and their campaign schedules are shaping up to be as strategic as they are fervent. As the race tightens, with the recent polls suggesting a close call since President Joe Biden stepped down from the re-election bid, the election appears to be throwing quite the contest. Both running mates seem to keenly understand the importance of these battleground visits as they scramble to consolidate and expand their support right up until voters cast their ballots.