Greg Brannon in 2016 NC Senate race

On Government Reform: I believe in a constitutionally limited government

Brannon questioned whether Burr uses the constitution as a strict guide, and questioned whether Burr is truly a conservative. "Is it conservative to fund an unconstitutional executive order to have amnesty?" Brannon asked. "That's Obama's plan. [Burr has] not done the job of hindering President Obama. He's actually aided him in fundamentally transforming America."

When asked if he agreed with Burr on any policy matters, Brannon would only say that Burr believes in a "bigger government than I do." Brannon said he believes in a constitutionally limited government. "What has he done to shrink government?" he said. "Can you name one?"

On Principles & Values: Tea Party supporter of constitutional conservative fighters

"We're facing the greatest threat to liberty in our lifetime," Brannon tweeted shortly after he filed at the State Board of Elections in Raleigh. "Now is not the time for go-along-to-get-along Republicans."

While Brannon's candidacy wasn't announced publicly before Monday, he's been criticizing Burr on his Facebook page. "Senator Richard Burr has repeatedly refused to take on President Obama and the Democrats in Washington, but boy does he love to undercut and smear constitutional conservative fighters like Senator Ted Cruz at every opportunity," he wrote last week.