Candidates, except Kasich, ramp up ahead of Indiana primary

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The presidential contenders - with the exception of Ohio Gov. John Kasich - are ramping up their Indiana operations in the last full week of campaigning ahead of the state's May 3 primary election.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump and his opponent Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have already made stops in the state, and each is expected to do more. Kasich had planned a first visit Tuesday but announced Sunday night that he is backing out of campaigning in the state as part of a collaborative strategy with Cruz to try to stop Trump.

Both Cruz and Kasich's campaigns released statements Sunday night saying Cruz will focus on winning enough delegates in Indiana, while Kasich will concentrate on Oregon and New Mexico.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has mobilized a coalition of Indiana lawmakers and community leaders for support, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders recently made a large television ad buy in the state.

U.S. Reps. Marlin Stutzman and Todd Young also will be making last pitches to voters in their contest for the seat being left open by retiring U.S. Senator Dan Coats.

Here is a guide to what's ahead in the last days before voters make their choices:

___

VOTES THAT COUNT

As the only state with a primary election on May 3, Indiana will be in the nation's spotlight while it makes its decisions.

The state's primary is normally too late in the election season to have much influence in the party presidential nominations. But this year Hoosiers still could play a major role in tipping at least the highly contested Republican contest.

Voters have so far tuned into the race in record numbers, according to the Secretary of State's office. Early voter turnout has edged past previous years, including 2008 when Hillary Clinton defeated Barack Obama before he went on to win his first term in the White House.

At stake are 57 Republican delegates and 92 for the Democrats.

____

EARLY ARRIVERS

Cruz made his first stop Thursday to chat up voters at one of Indianapolis's legacy lunch spots, Shapiro's Delicatessen, and then spoke at the annual state Republican Party Spring Dinner Friday. He returned over the weekend.

Cruz's wife, Heidi, also made rounds throughout the state Friday.

Trump was first to arrive, though, drawing thousands of cheering supporters - and a small group of protesters - when he spoke at the State Fairgrounds on Wednesday. It was his first stop after winning the New York primary.

Clinton, the former Secretary of State, has set up five offices in Indiana. Sanders, who has opened eight offices statewide, has tried to benefit from grass-roots events and angled for union support, touting a platform of bringing jobs to the middle class and halting globalization.

___

GEARING UP

Cruz has trumpeted his plans for an aggressive on-the-ground Indiana campaign until voters go to the polls. Trump, who has waged a less conventional campaign, has been more vague.

"The eyes of the country are all on the Hoosier state," Cruz said during a rally in Terre Haute on Sunday. "Do we want to be behind a campaign that is based on yelling, screaming and cursing and insulting? Or do we want to come together behind a positive, optimistic, forward-looking, conservative campaign with real policy solutions?"

Later Sunday, Cruz and Kasich's campaigns announced their plans to coordinate primary strategies, an attempt to deprive Trump of the delegates needed to win the nomination.

"Having Donald Trump at the top of the ticket in November would be a sure disaster for Republicans," Cruz's campaign manager, Jeff Roe, said in a statement explaining the new plans.

Added Kasich's chief strategist, John Weaver, "Our goal is to have an open convention in Cleveland, where we are confident a candidate capable of uniting the party and winning in November will emerge as the nominee."

As recently as three days ago Kasich's campaign announced investments in Indiana, including the opening of two offices and the creation of a campaign leadership team. His campaign on Sunday night canceled a town hall and gathering in Indianapolis scheduled to watch the results of Tuesday's primaries.

Neither the Clinton nor Sanders campaigns were saying as of Friday whether their candidates would visit the state before the primaries.

In the Senate race, both of the candidates are expected to be in Washington to take votes for at least part of the week. Young is expected to attend several Lincoln Day dinners around the state. Stutzman's campaign did not immediately provide a schedule.

___

AIMING HIGH

In their visits, both Trump and Cruz sought to entice high-level Hoosier support. Both made overtures to Republican Gov. Mike Pence, meeting with the state's top official privately at the governor's residence.

Trump even flew in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has endorsed the billionaire businessman, to attend the meeting with his fellow Republican chief executive. Pence would not say what the conversations entailed, just that they were "substantive."

The governor had also planned to meet with Kasich.

Despite all the courtship, Pence on Thursday reiterated that he was "for anybody but Hillary and Bernie Sanders."