U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry will face two opponents from his own party.

McHenry, a Cherryville Republican, has upped his profile in recent months with attacks against ACORN and President Barack Obama's "czars." 

The district is as safe as it gets for Republicans and so McHenry's real challenge will come in the primary, reports The (Morganton) News Herald.

Vance Patterson, 59, an entrepreneur announced his candidacy last week. Patterson will also have to best Iredell County Commission Scott Keadle, a Salisbury dentist who is also running for the seat.