Vice President Kamala Harris is making her sixth trip to North Carolina this week, as some North Carolina Democrats express cautious support for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. 

The nonstop flurry of campaign events in the past weeks have made one thing clear — the president and the Democratic party know North Carolina will play a key role this fall, no matter who is at the top of the ticket. 

Former President Donald Trump won the state by less than 2 percent in 2020, and this year's rematch is expected to be another tight race. North Carolina has also gained an electoral vote since then, bringing the total up to 16. 

Gov. Roy Cooper highlighted the state’s influence when introducing Biden at the rally on June 28, less than 24 hours after the first presidential debate. Biden's performance in that debate has fueled calls for him to step down and for another Democrat to be at the top of the ticket in November.

“If Joe Biden wins North Carolina, he is president of the United States once again,” Cooper said. 

This week alone the state is hosting both Jill Biden and the vice president. Harris will hold a campaign event in Greensboro Thursday for her 14th trip to North Carolina since taking office. 

After the first debate, the campaign's approach has shifted from talks of policy and achievements to affirmations of the President’s health and ability to lead. 

On Monday, the first lady stopped in Wilmington to speak on Biden’s record with military and veteran issues. North Carolina was the first of three battleground states Jill Biden visited in a single day, followed by Florida and Georgia. 

During her speech, she made it clear that both she and the president are “all in” on Biden remaining the presumptive Democratic nominee.

But, despite the attention granted to the state this election season, some prominent North Carolina Democrats have been slow to offer their full-throated support. 

Spectrum News Washington reporter Reuben Jones reported that, as of Tuesday, three of North Carolina’s seven Democratic representatives expressed their support for Biden as the party’s nominee. 

Reps. Valerie Foushee, Wiley Nickel and Alma Adams said they support him staying in the race. 

Rep. Deborah Ross gave a supportive, but less direct statement. 

"Joe Biden has led our country with wisdom, grace, and integrity," she said. 

Rep. Don Davis openly criticized Biden’s performance at the debate, calling it a “disaster” and warning that it’s up to him to prove himself. 

The North Carolina Democratic Party has yet to release an official statement on whether Biden should remain at the top of the ticket, but did repost former President Barack Obama’s statement of support on X. 

The Democratic candidate for governor, Josh Stein, has shied away from making any statements on the matter, though he was at the rally with Biden and Cooper.