The Democratic Party is closer to joining the Republicans in looking forward to November and Virginia is shaping up to be a major battleground state this fall.

When it comes to presidential races, Virginia has been in the Republican column for decades, but Democrats say that's changing.

As the primary season closes Tuesday, Harrisonburg Democratic Party Chairman Alan Finks says they're laying the plans for a contentious fight.

"We're just about ready to shift gears because, up until now, you couldn't make too much of an investment in anything because you didn't know for sure what was going to happen," says Finks.

Virginia is entering into the national strategy for both campaigns with each candidate vying for the Commonwealth's 13 electoral votes.

Delegate Chris Saxman is a co-chairman for the McCain campaign in Virginia. He says national security will be a major issue Virginia voters will hear about, but it won't be the biggest issue.

"The economy supersedes all that. Everyone's concerned about the economy. Everyone's concerned about oil prices," says Saxman.

Obama and McCain carried Virginia in their respective February primaries. The surprise of that election was how close the race was between McCain and rival Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. The primary underscored the need for party leaders to focus on Virginia.

"Right now, we're going to be identifying a lot of McCain supporters throughout the Commonwealth, getting them to the polls," says Saxman.

Both parties say be prepared for ads, telephone calls, and knocks on your door.

On the Democratic side, leaders say you can expect to see campaign signs set up lumping the Democratic nominee in with other famous names in Virginia. They say the goal is to speak to the changing face of Virginia politics.

"So all this will be tied in together as it goes," says Finks.

Obama is planning stops in southwest and northern Virginia Thursday and McCain is planning an event in Richmond June 9.