RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is holding a rare campaign news conference to highlight an endorsement for his re-election bid.

McCrory was expected to attend Thursday’s announcement at a Raleigh hotel for what his campaign billed only as “another major law enforcement endorsement.” McCrory usually holds public events organized by his state government office.

The Republican incumbent and rival Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper already have boasted this week their backing from police groups. Cooper says he’s been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, while McCrory promoted support from delegates to the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police convention.

McCrory and Cooper are competing in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial elections in the country. Recent polls have showed Cooper slightly ahead of McCrory.