Former North Carolina Gov. McCrory enters US Senate race

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory says he’ll run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina in hopes of succeeding the retiring Sen. Richard Burr.

The one-term governor revealed his plans Wednesday on his Charlotte-area radio show.

McCrory is currently the most well-known candidate to have entered the contest.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker is already in the race for the GOP nomination. Democrats have targeted Burr’s seat as a prime pickup opportunity to expand their razor-thin Senate edge.

McCrory was elected as North Carolina’s governor in 2012 and served four years in office. He was also Charlotte’s mayor for 14 years.