Local News

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ/AP) ― National candidates are on their way to Maryland and state politicians are staying up late watching for news about the primaries.

Pat Warren reports it's clear that Maryland's earliest-ever primaries next week will be unlike any the state's ever had. With only about 2 million voters and a primary that usually is after the two major candidates have been decided, Maryland is unused to the kind of attention state officials expect in the next week, when major campaigns head to the region for the Feb. 12 Potomac Primaries in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

"I'm so psyched!" said Democratic state Delegate Saqib Ali, emerging from a House session Wednesday at which lawmakers from both parties spontaneously applauded when the primaries were mentioned. "Last night I stayed up until 3 a.m. watching it."

Hot contests in this year's primaries have Marylanders preparing for what may be their biggest shot at national political attention since 1912, when President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Democratic nomination in Baltimore. The state's proximity to Washington gives it plenty of visits from national politicians, but when they're campaigning, Maryland seldom merits personal speeches or advertising buys.

"This is the first time we're going to see real, live candidates coming through the state of Maryland," said House Speaker Michael Busch, a Democrat who helped engineer the earlier primary date.

Busch mentioned the 2-to-1 registration advantage Democrats hold in Maryland, making it a state routinely passed over by presidential candidates in general campaigns.

"We might be bluer and bluer," Busch said. "But they're going to be here for this primary."

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was expected to stump in majority-black Prince George's County at some point in the next week, said U.S. Rep. Al Wynn, a Democrat who's from that county and is backing Obama. Democratic Party officials in Maryland confirmed they anticipated an Obama visit, though they couldn't confirm details.

On the Republican side, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was due in Baltimore County Thursday night for an appearance at an American Legion post.

Maryland politicians from both parties said they guessed more candidates would visit the region before Feb. 12.

"Quite frankly, we hope to attract a lot of attention in the next week," said state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

"We are anticipating one of the largest turnouts in Maryland history."

State elections officials were revising their election day projections upward Wednesday in light of the national contests, in which no Republican or Democrat has their party's nomination sewed up. State elections chief predicted turnout of about 35 percent -- up from the 30 percent they projected a month ago.

Lamone said elections officials were ready for a heavy voter turnout -- but they're worried about the weather. The early primary date had officials worried a heavy snowfall could make it tough to get to polls and were working with local officials to make sure roads would be clear by 7 a.m., when polls open.

"We're watching the weather," Lamone said. An early forecast predicted possible rain and snow showers Tuesday.

A few voters said they were more likely to get out because of the close contests -- but they weren't as excited as politicians about the prospect of personal visits from the candidates.

"I just think it's a lot of wasted time," said Margaret Wallach of Annapolis, a gift store clerk who is used to Maryland being ignored by national politicians and says she's a little tired of watching news about the campaigns. "We're tired of hearing it on TV, every day, every hour. I'm finding it all a little too much."

And skin care consultant Moneika Hines of Severn said she hadn't yet made up her mind which Democrat to back despite constant news coverage.

"I have no idea," Hines said. "I'm still back and forth, I guess."

But politicians insisted Maryland would see its first heavy primary campaigning in living history in the next week, a lucky turn that will help voters like Hines make up their minds.

"I think it's exciting for Maryland and exciting for the whole country," said state Senate Republican Leader David Brinkley.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)