GREENSBORO -- Top republicans from across the state were in Greensboro over the weekend for their party's annual convention. It was a chance for republicans to hear from party candidates and get revved up for the November elections.

“Well it's electric. Republicans are here from all over the state and they are energized and they are excited about this fall. And I think they are ready for a good go around to elect those people this fall,” said Linda Daves, the North Carolina Republican Party chair.

The candidates were on hand to state their case and get support from their party. “Obviously we're working hard, enjoying listening to people across the state in terms of what issues they feel are important to them and getting the record out,” said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who is running a re-election campaign against State Sen. Kay Hagan.

Dole is talking about a record that includes one-of-its-kind cooperation between county sheriffs and government to check the immigration status of prisoners, “And the whole idea very simply is to identify and to deport illegal aliens who have identified themselves,” Dole said, “self-identified because of their criminal behavior.”

And with the caliber of candidates across the party lines, the North Carolina Republican Party leadership says they're getting ready for some heated races. “Well you know a good fight never hurt anyone. A good fight keeps the juices flowing a little bit.” Daves said. “But with any campaign that's as high end as a presidential and all the way back down to the state party offices, you always expect to have a battle.”

“We're in this to win re-election and it's just such a privilege to serve the people of North Carolina,” Dole added.

Some of the big names in the Republican Party were also at the weekend convention -- including gubernatorial hopeful and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, and former presidential candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee.