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The major Democratic candidates have held countless forums and three live TV debates. The Republicans? None.

Sure, former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is the presumptive GOP nominee. And yes, his challengers are mounting low-budget, low-visibility campaigns. But at least one Republican rival is challenging McCrory to a debate.

Paul Wright, a former Superior Court judge, is positioning himself as the real conservative in the race. And he is worried conservatives are being neglected as McCrory focuses on a November matchup against the Democrats.

"What's good for Democrats is good for Republican voters," he said of debates. "I do think some of the positions that are dear to the conservatives won't even get heard without a debate."

The visible signs of the campaign season are beginning to bloom, albeit a bit late given the hot political climate.

Red and blue and white campaign signs are appearing along major roadways as lesser known candidates try to get their names in front of voters before the May 8 primary. 

By comparison, most major candidates, such as Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and former Congressman Bob Etheridge, two Democratic candidates for governor, haven't put an emphasis on campaign signs, likely pinching pennies to save for a TV ad campaign later this month.

The one candidate planting more signs than others: Paul Wright, a former Superior Court judge, who is challenging GOP golden boy Pat McCrory, the presumptive party nominee for governor.

Paul Wright -- that other Republican candidate for governor -- delivered some big endorsement news Thursday via his Facebook page: "I am pleased to announce former U.S. congressman and Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo has endorsed my campaign for governor."

We'll let Dome readers speculate on what's more surprising: a Tom Tancredo sighting or Wright getting an endorsement in his bid against presumptive GOP nominee Pat McCrory.

But for what it's worth -- and not confirmed by Tancredo's camp -- read Wright's full announcement below.

The Republican primary for governor features six candidates -- but it's hard to tell presumptive nominee Pat McCrory has any  competition.

The one possible exception is Paul Wright, a former Superior Court judge. He is attending county GOP conventions distributing literature that calls him "the conservative choice."

But Wright is careful not to suggest this is a criticism of McCrory, who some conservatives believe is too moderate for their tastes.

The storyline in the North Carolina governor's race in recent weeks goes like this: Democrats face a messy primary and Pat McCrory gets to coast through May without a challenge.

Well, now the picture looks much different. The other big names in the Democratic governor's race have not yet filed to run and the anointed McCrory faces three Republicans. Sure, the GOP primary challengers are largely unknown -- but a protest vote from those who don't buy McCrory's conservative credentials or a pestering opponent could create problems.

The one possibly recognizable name is former Superior Court Judge Paul Wright of Mount Olive, who filed Friday.