With Presidential primaries heating up, Republicans eye California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tuesday will be a big night for the presidential candidates as they turn their attention to several northeastern states set to vote its primaries.

The 2016 Presidential race has been marred with controversy, upsets, and surprises and the only thing getting more certain with time is California's role.

"You got 38 million people in this state," associate professor of political science Bret Kincaid said. "It's the largest state, and presidential candidates don't typically make their way over here."

Political analysts say California hasn't been relevant for decades. The Democratic race will most likely be wrapped up again by June, but the Republican field is another story.

"What's going to happen in California is going to have a big impact on the national race," Guillermo Moreno with the Fresno County Republican Party.

Party leaders say Fresno is already seeing activity, and a GOP source told Action News Donald Trump may visit early next week.

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz's father is scheduled to speak this Friday at a local Fresno church.

"When they are here, they are going to revisit the issues, talk about water," Moreno explained. "Hopefully, this will be something they try to offer and opinion on and try to fix."

Earlier this week, John Kasich and Ted Cruz formed an alliance. Analysts say that partnership could further prevent Trump from securing the nomination until California.

"They are teaming together to try to get as many delegates as they can separately," Kincaid said. "The more delegates they get combined, the less Trump gets."

In the past several elections, Candidates have not spent money on ads in California, and experts say that may soon change.

"The excitement is building," Moreno said. "More importantly, the Central Valley is going to matter."