With New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's victories over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in the Ohio and Texas Democratic primaries, the campaign has turned to Pennsylvania.

With the largest total of delegates to the nominating convention of any of the remaining states, Pennsylvania has suddenly leapt into the political spotlight.

While the travel schedules of the two campaigns have not been announced yet, local Democrats are hopeful that that the weeks leading up to the April 22 primary will see a number of visits by both contenders.

"I expect both the Obama and Clinton campaigns to have a significant presence in Pennsylvania," said Nancy Swets, a volunteer with the Norwin Democrats.

"It's going to be very exciting."

In past years, the outcome of the primary had already been decided before Pennsyl-vania's turn to vote came up, a fact that led to calls for moving the primary from April to February.

"In the end, it didn't matter," said Swets, who added that ironically the very lateness that doomed previous state primaries to national irrelevance has brought this one to the forefront.

But, said Swets, as with previous primaries, there are more races than just the presidential one.

Local Democrats will have a choice in the 56th District between incumbent state Rep. James Casorio and challenger Brian Blasko.

In the 39th Senatorial District, Tony Bompiani and Chris Huffman are seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Bob Regola.

In the 18th Congressional District, Beth Hafer, Stephen O'Donnell and Brien Wall are vying for the chance to run against Republican incumbent Tim Murphy.

"All politics really ends up being local," said Swets.

Swets said so far the local races have taken up most of the attention of the Westmore-land County Democrats, the parent organization of the Norwin Democrats.

While Swets said she is trying to stay neutral in the primary, she knows of a number of Obama and Clinton supporters in the area who are organizing for their chosen candidates.

Although some concern has been expressed in the national Democratic Party that the ongoing primary could divide Democrats while the Republicans unify behind their nominee Sen. John McCain, Swets said her observations lead her to believe that the primary is a good thing.

"I think that it lends itself to getting more people involved," said Swets, who added she sees a remarkable amount of excitement and energy among local Democrats.

Although Swets said she has not heard from either campaign yet, she expects to do so. She said she hopes, and will try to ensure, that the Clinton and Obama visits include a stop in the Norwin area.