What To Expect For Indiana's Presidential Primary

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana’s primary will likely have an impact – maybe even a significant one – on this year’s presidential race. And that means presidential candidates will likely spend time and money in the state.

Mike Downs Center for Politics at IPFW Director Andrew Downs says Wisconsin’s primary results make it increasingly likely that both Republican and Democratic candidates will have to spend time in Indiana before its May 3 primary – the only presidential primary that week.

And Downs says the campaigns’ focus should soon turn to mobilizing voters, with an emphasis on those who typically vote in primary elections.

“If they have to spend time trying to convince you to vote, you know we don’t want to call it wasted time, but that’s time they’re not convincing another person they already know is a voter to vote for them,” Downs says.

Downs says that activity should pick up soon with targeted ads, direct mail and calls.

“If you are a known supporter of a campaign, you’re going to start getting phone calls right away asking you to go out and vote early,” Downs says. “If you are someone who’s undecided, you’ll be targeted with information they think will sway your vote to their side.”

Republicans Donald Trump and John Kasich and Democrat Hillary Clinton have already named their state leadership teams. Democrat Bernie Sanders has several campaign offices open around the state.