NORTH CAROLINA -- The special election in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District is drawing national attention, with some watching for clues as to what to expect in elections nationwide come 2020.

• Republican candidate Dan Bishop said the race could prove to be a “canary in the coal mine.”
• Bishop is running as a Trump ally in the long-time Republican-held district. Taking a cue from the president, he has gone after the so-called “squad” of progressive freshmen Democrats on Capitol Hill as part of his campaign
• Across the aisle, Democrat Dan McCready declined to say whether he sees the race as a preview of coming attractions in 2020

Several national media outlets have labeled it a potential preview of next year. Reuters, RollCall, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets have all published stories painting the race in that context.

But do the candidates themselves see it as a 2020 preview?

Republican candidate Dan Bishop said the race could prove to be a “canary in the coal mine.”

“It matters - to the results in 2020 - what happens in this race,” he said.

Bishop is running as a Trump ally in the long-time Republican-held district. Taking a cue from the president, he has gone after the so-called “squad” of progressive freshmen Democrats on Capitol Hill as part of his campaign.

But what if Bishop loses? Should the GOP rethink their embrace of Trump come next year?

“It's going to be all hands on deck in 2020,” Bishop said. “Donald Trump is a unique figure, and he has shown a unique capacity to fight and to survive in the face of an onslaught like a president has never seen.”

RELATED: Election Expert: NC-09 Serving as "Test Ground" Ahead of 2020

Across the aisle, Democrat Dan McCready declined to say whether he sees the race as a preview of coming attractions in 2020.

“I can’t speak to that. I can tell you that this race really matters for North Carolina families,” he said in a recent interview.

McCready is framing himself as a moderate. He is focusing his energy on talking about healthcare and education in hopes of making headway in the new election.

But if McCready can not win in this competitive district, will Democrats have to re-evaluate how they approach 2020?

“I’m not a pundit, so I don’t know how to answer that,” McCready said when asked. “I can tell you that here on the ground, people are ready looking to move past the broken partisan politics. I really think people are tired politicians in both parties that are going to the extremes.”

RELATED: 9th District Candidates Prepare for Final Stretch of the Special Election

Recent internal polling from both sides shows the race to be neck-and-neck.

Election day is next Tuesday, Sept. 10. 

Early voting continues this week. With Hurricane Dorian heading up the Atlantic coast, state election officials are encouraging voters to take advantage of the early polls.