The head of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron, John Green, notes that Ohio is always an important swing state in the general election. But it usually plays a lesser role in the primaries. He says part of that is because Ohio’s primary used to come later.  But that changed when the state joined the March “Super Tuesday” voting. And, Green says this year’s GOP primary could mirror what happened with Democrats four years ago.

Green

And, according to Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine, the primary hopefuls campaigning here also thinking about November.

DeWine

Regardless the strategies and the eventual vote tallies, Tom Zawistowski, executive director of the Portage County Tea Party, says primaries play a crucial role for voters.

Zawistowski

With Republican candidates Michelle Bachman and Herman Cain out of the primary, Zawistowski says Santorum is probably the Ohio Tea Party’s “compromise” candidate—for now.  He says Ron Paul runs a close second, followed by Newt Gingrich and then Mitt Romney. The G.O.P. candidates are taking Ohio seriously.  Santorum will be in Akron on Saturday, and Newt Gingrich was in Cleveland last week