The lack of a clear frontrunner in either party means Wisconsin's Feb. 19 primary might still matter, though it will depend on the outcome of Super Tuesday"" Feb. 5.
On Feb. 5 over 20 states hold primaries or caucuses, including states with large populations like California, New York and Illinois.
Emeritus Professor of Political Science Charles Jones said it is possible U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., might win his home state, while U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., could win her home state and still have no clear winner decided, but said it is impossible to predict the outcome right now.
Political activity related to the Wisconsin primary has been increasing recently. On Jan. 16, Obama's campaign opened its Wisconsin headquarters, with Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle having endorsed Obama earlier in the month.
State Democratic leaders have been divided in whom they are supporting, with Lieutenant Gov. Barbara Lawton having endorsed Clinton and Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke endorsing former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., in recent months. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who dropped out the Presidential race in the fall, has endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wineke said he expects Wisconsin's primary to still be important after Feb. 5 and said the top three Democratic candidates will campaign Feb. 16 at a Milwaukee fundraiser.
Jones said the Wisconsin primary might still be important on the Republican side because the field currently has four or five leading candidates. He said because there are more candidates it is more likely that none will have a clear lead after Feb. 5.
The candidates are most focused right now on winning the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina, according to Jones.
""Right now the candidates are not thinking a lot about Wisconsin,"" Jones said, but that could change because the current fast moving primary schedule is ""unprecedented"".
