RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican congressional heavyweights are coming to North Carolina this week to campaign for Mitt Romney.

Romney's campaign said Monday that Arizona Sen. John McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham will attend veteran-themed events Tuesday in Cary and Fayetteville. Graham will hold a similar event Tuesday evening in Wilmington.

House Speaker John Boehner also plans public events for Romney and the GOP ticket Friday afternoon in Charlotte and Saturday morning in Raleigh.

In addition to the surrogates, Romney's campaign says the former Massachusetts governor will hold a campaign rally Thursday evening at the civic center in Asheville.

President Barack Obama's re-election campaign also is nearing full steam and last week got help from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former Gov. Jim Hunt.