NORTH CAROLINA -- Nationally, the presidential race is well underway. But in North Carolina, the new 9th congressional district match-up is grabbing its own headlines. Some political analysts say to expect the two contests to collide on the campaign trail.

• Already on social media, several Democratic presidential hopefuls - including Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker - have offered support for Dan McCready.
• Analyst say making a stop in the 9th district gives those presidential candidates a chance to effectively double-dip.
• This weekend, at least two Democratic candidates will be campaigning just south of the North Carolina border in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Already on social media, several Democratic presidential hopefuls - including Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker - have offered support for Dan McCready. Some even encouraged people to donate to the McCready campaign.

Kyle Kondik, an election-watcher with Sabato's Crystal Ball, believes there is a good chance. "I think you could very well see some of the Democratic presidential candidates coming," he said. "The president could very well come."

Kondik says making a stop in the 9th district gives those presidential candidates a chance to effectively double-dip.

The district is nestled just along the border with South Carolina, which is one of the early key states on the Democratic primary calendar. Dropping by could allow the candidates to get press coverage in both states.

But should McCready want those presidential hopefuls to drop in? Political watchers say it really depends on the candidate.

Progressive candidates like Bernie Sanders could be problematic, hurting rather than helping McCready, according to Michael Bitzer, a professor at Catawba College.

Bitzer says a progressive like Sanders would contrast with the "conservative to moderate" image McCready has crafted - an image that Bitzer considers helpful in a district that itself is moderate to conservative politically.

Other presidential hopefuls, Bitzer said, are potentially not as much of an issue.

"If somebody like a Kamala Harris comes in or potentially a Cory Booker, that kind of more pragmatic progressive could potentially help to lay some foundation work for the Super Tuesday primary," he said.

The Democratic presidential primary is now less than a year away in North Carolina, set for March 3.

McCready's campaign team did not respond a question about whether they have any plans to invite presidential candidates to join him on the trail.

This weekend, at least two Democratic candidates will be campaigning just south of the North Carolina border in Rock Hill, South Carolina.