(RALEIGH) -- It was believed by many analysts that the Republican nominee for President would have been wrapped up before North Carolina's May 8th primary. Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain made two stops in North Carolina on Thursday and said the May 8th primary in the Tar Heel State will matter in a major way.

"Since many of the states changed their primary date some of them lost delegates, and so because of the way the delegates are allocated that means that North Carolina would be a big player," said Cain.

There are three more primaries in nine states before May 8th. Even if Romney were to win in a sweep, he would still be short of the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination. North Carolina has 55 delegates in play.