Newt Gingrich plans to make several stops in North Carolina Thursday even though reports indicate he will drop out of the race next week.

In Kings Mountain on Wednesday, he refused to answer questions from reporters on dropping out of the race.

“I’m not going to talk to the press. I’m talking to these guys, and anybody who is a non-reporter is allowed to ask questions,” he said.

Gingrich did tell the crowd to support Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney, but his supporters were still upset.

“It breaks my heart because I know he sees a bright future,” said Wanda Lougter.

Because ballots for North Carolina’s primary have already been printed, Gingrich’s name will still be on the ballot on May 8. The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections director said Thursday that Rick Santorum’s name would also be on the ballot.

Another also-ran, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, said he was switching his endorsement from Gingrich to Romney. Perry made the announcement Wednesday after reports surfaced that Gingrich was dropping out.

The governor ended his own campaign in January.  

President Barack Obama is kicking off his first re-election rally next week. The president is set to headline back-to-back rallies at universities in Ohio and Virginia on May 5.

In 2008, Obama won both states during the general election. Analysts believe he will need to secure them again to earn a second term.