In the first week of early voting throughout Texas, election officials saw a record turnout for the March 4 Texas primaries. After one week of early voting in 2004, Tarrant County reported fewer than 800 voters for the state’s Democratic primary. This year, more than 40,000 have casted votes to determine who will earn the Democratic nomination, more than twice the votes cast for the Republican primary, according to Tarrant County early voting reports.

As the first presidential election in more than 50 years that has not seen an incumbent president or vice president seeking the office, the 2008 race is wide open. Even in Texas.

Although early voting indicates an increased interest in the Democratic primary, it does not necessarily mean Texans have an increased interest in a Democratic president. Turnout has been lower for the Republican primary because the nomination is virtually in the bag for John McCain. For Democrats, however, the race is at a critical point, and Texans know it.

The Democrats’ heavy campaigning in the Lone Star State in the past weeks is exciting, but don’t expect Clinton and Obama to hang their hats for long. Though the eventual nominee would do well to spend a good part of the next several months campaigning in Texas, the state’s 34 electoral votes in the general election – the second most of any state – may not be enough to keep him or her around.

Democrats can’t ignore Texas’ voting record – the state last voted for a Democratic president in 1976. For this reason, the eventual Democratic nominee will likely spend more time campaigning in swing states like Ohio, Florida and Nevada, which could prove detrimental.

As for the GOP, McCain is able to rest on his laurels for the Texas primary election, but it could be entirely different in November. Texas Democrats have shown they can make it to the polls in February – it is fair to assume they’ll show up Nov. 4, too. Unless he changes his name to Bush, McCain can’t call Texas a lock.

Just as McCain shouldn’t ignore Texas, neither should the Democratic nominee.

Despite Texas’ reputation as a Republican stronghold, the eventual Democratic candidate should campaign in Texas. Democrats have shown in the last two weeks that they have a voice, and they are willing to get to the polls. In November, they could very well do it the Texas way – much, much bigger.

Kara Peterson is an advertising/public relations graduate student from Fort Worth.