Presidential candidates lay groundwork for Indiana primary

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Early voting began Tuesday across Indiana in advance of the May 3 primary election, one in which the state could hold more sway than usual in the presidential races for Democrats and Republicans.

The state's primary election generally comes after most states already have voted on presidential picks, but as the candidates vie for attention at the polls, they've started organizing in Indiana.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Indiana got an intimate glimpse of presidential politics, with Obama shooting hoops in Kokomo gym and Clinton aiming for working class-appeal by knocking back a shot of whiskey at northwest Indiana bar.

[...] Republicans will get a presidential moment of their own, says Mike Murphy, a former state lawmaker and Marion County GOP chairman, who notes tea party-backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich likely face an uphill fight against businessman Donald Trump.

State officials are warning Indiana's 92 counties to prepare for voter turnout that could approach levels set in the 2008 Democratic primary, when Clinton narrowly defeated Obama.