WINSTON-SALEM - Donald Trump made it clear Monday that North Carolina will continue to be a focus of his campaign in the coming months leading up to November’s general election.

Speaking in front of a near-capacity crowd inside the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, Trump told supporters “I’m going to be in North Carolina so much that you’re going to get so sick and tired of me.”

The appearance, Trump’s third in the state since June, highlights the importance of North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes for both parties hoping to sway voters.

Trump appeared alongside state GOP leaders such as U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., US. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th and N.C. Governor Pat McCrory for an event billed as a show of unity among state Republicans.

In his brief address, McCrory likened his outsider status when taking over the governor’s office in 2013 to Trump’s appeal as an outsider vying for the White House.

“We need an outsider because right now as governor, I’m responsible for the public safety of North Carolina and yet we have no idea about the Syrian refugees coming into our country,” McCrory said, pointing to multiple differences between Trump’s platform and that of current President Barack Obama. “Ladies and gentleman, we need a common-sense energy policy for the United States of America and that’s going to take an outsider to clean up Washington, D.C.”

Trump was also joined by running mate Mike Pence who spoke about the need for change in Washington, saying he joined the ticket because of America’s desire for strong leadership.

“We are now 105 days away from a great victory for the people of North Carolina,” Pence said. “Because on that day, we are going to vote for change. Change that will be huge.”

Like many supporters in attendance, Zak Crotts, treasurer of the Davidson County Republican party, said Trump was his second choice during the GOP primary. But as the party’s nominee, Crotts said Trump has his full support.

“It’s awesome to come here and spend time with fellow Republicans that I work with all over the state, but it’s also great to see the party come together united for our candidate,” Crotts said. “He is our nominee and…we’re going to get on the Trump train and we’re going to get through November.”

Crotts, like most of the rally’s speakers, pointed to the importance of turnout during the election for the state to secure a victory for Trump and the Republican Party.

“As we saw in the last two elections, North Carolina is a swing state and it’s important to show our country and the entire world what conservative values and principles are here in North Carolina,” he said. “We’ve got to keep this state red.”

Trump spoke for nearly an hour during the event, touching on a number of platform issues that he has begun to flesh out in recent weeks. He spoke about the need for America to regain respect in international dealings and received roaring support in speaking about the need for more jobs in states like North Carolina.

“A company leaves North Carolina and goes to Mexico…they make the product, they sell us the product, zero tax…zero anything,” he said. “They sell the North Carolina people the product, let me tell you (that’s) not going to happen anymore because we’re not going to let them leave so easily.”

Trump also assured supporters that he is confident his campaign will begin to receive the support of many Bernie Sanders voters, who have expressed displeasure with presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump is scheduled to appear in Charlotte Tuesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention.

Mat Batts can be reached at (336) 249-3981, ext. 227, or at mat.batts@the-dispatch.com. Follow Mat on Twitter: @LexDispatchMB