 Many in the crowd were moved to tears. His running mate is J.D. Vance, Ohio's senator. North Carolina State University political science professor Stephen Green tells WNCT North Carolina is an important player in the election this year. As a swing state and one that both campaigns are contesting, what happens here is really important. And in that sense, the convention could certainly matter in terms of the messages and how that resonates with the people of North Carolina.