Oregon’s primary, usually a non-event, is shaping up to get an unusual amount of attention this time around, the Oregonian reports. The state has 52 delegates at stake—huge among remaining contests—and is likely to be crucial for the Democrats in the fall as well. Says a state party official: “There’s talk that it’s going to be the last battleground state.”
Barack Obama definitely has an edge, routinely polling 6 to 12 points ahead of Hillary Clinton, but both have invested money and manpower for the primary, a vote-by-mail affair with a May 20 deadline. Obama’s campaign says it’s registered 30,000 new voters in Oregon, while Bill and Chelsea Clinton have visited multiple times. Hillary “does have the chance to surprise folks here,” said her Oregon spokeswoman. (More Oregon stories.)