With Super Tuesday"" over, Democrats are expected to focus on Wisconsin's Feb. 19 primary election much earlier than Republicans.
Wisconsin's primary is still seen as important for both parties, but because there is no front-runner in the Democratic race, each state has increased significance, according to political observers.
""I don't think [Wisconsin] will be decisive this time,"" said Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. ""But we will be important. We will get the spotlight.""
Lawton supports U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
With McCain as a front-runner in the Republican race, other candidates hoping to gain on his lead are expected to focus their resources on states between now and Feb. 19.
""There is a presumptive front-runner, so all the campaigns are assessing where to go from here,"" said Mark Jefferson, executive director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Jefferson also said Louisiana and Virginia are key primaries for Republicans before Wisconsin's. It is not clear how much attention Republicans will give to Wisconsin, but lots of activity is expected once the earlier states are done voting, according to Jefferson. He said events would likely be organized on fairly short notice around the state.
Democratic candidates already launched their campaigns in Wisconsin at the grassroots level. Clinton and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., have begun organizing with offices located throughout the state, according to Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Rachel Strauch-Nelson.
Obama wasted no time shifting the campaign focus to Wisconsin after ""Super Tuesday,"" launching a statewide TV and radio ad campaign Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Doyle is also actively campaigning for Obama with events in La Crosse and Eau Claire Thursday. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson recently endorsed U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Republicans are not expected to advertise in Wisconsin nearly as heavily as the Democrats, Jefferson said. Overall, he said Republican candidates have not spent as much on advertising as the Democrats in the country. Wisconsin will not see Republican ad campaigns until closer to the Feb. 19 because the competition is not as intense, Jefferson said.
With the majority of the state's population living in Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madison, the southeast portion of the state is expected to see drastic increase in candidate activity. However, Jefferson said all parts of the state are important for the overall vote.
Fox Valley and Milwaukee suburbs are especially important to Republican campaigns, according to Jefferson. He said Republicans candidates want to make strong appearances in Wisconsin to prepare for the November general election.
""We know in November we will have a close race in Wisconsin, and they're going to want to start laying the foundation for that,"" he said.
