SCRANTON -- Pennsylvania went Democrat in the last two general elections but the GOP is hoping to win in November.
Republican candidate Donald Trump plans a campaign event in Scranton later this week.
Polls may not give us the best indication of the race for the White House during convention season, but the two major party candidates are within a couple percentage points here in Pennsylvania, meaning their upcoming campaign stops could help sway any undecided voters.
It's just over three months until the score is settled between the two major party candidates for president. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are non-stop campaigning and soon bringing their stump speeches to Scranton.
"Guess they got to do what they got to do to get elected," said Scranton resident Amy Mussari.
While Hillary Clinton may have ties to Scranton and a campaign office in the city's downtown, Trump supporters are gearing up for his second visit to the area on Wednesday, the first as the Republican nominee for president.
Earlier this month, Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden were scheduled to make a campaign stop at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton. That had to be canceled due to the deadly shooting of five police officers in Dallas, Texas. Now, Hillary and Joe are headed back.
"I would have to believe that Hillary would be a favorite up here in the northeast, seeing that she has family roots up here," said Scranton resident Bob Casey.
Even though a campaign visit to our area might touch on local issues, some voters believe there's a lot more on the line in this election than that.
"World commitments that a politician, a leader needs to have some background, experience versus someone who doesn't have that experience. It's going to affect everything," said Edward Macarchick of Scranton.
Either way, if the race for president comes down to one swing state, much like it did in 2000, Pennsylvania could be that state with Scranton a big player in the outcome of a close race.
"I have to believe Scranton would have to be a very important area looking for both of them looking to win the commonwealth with their electoral votes," Casey added.
Clinton and Biden are scheduled to make a campaign stop in Scranton in mid-August. The details of that event have not yet been released.
As for the Trump campaign event, there's been a lot of activity at the Lackawanna College student union, but there's still no official word if Trump will speak there Wednesday.
The last time he was in our area in April, Trump drew a huge crowd to the Mohegan Sun Arena near Wilkes-Barre.
This time police in Scranton are gearing up to provide security for the candidate's visit to the Electric City.
"It's our responsibility, like it or not. It's our responsibility that we have to provide the best protection we can for a candidate that comes to town," said Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano.
Chief Graziano says there are already plans in the works to ensure things go smoothly Wednesday, no matter where Trump stops. Plus, officers will be working overtime to the tune of thousands of dollars since it's summer vacation season and because of the political climate around the country.
"We have to make our plans based on the current world and the country and that's going to assign more personnel on it based on that," the chief added.
Last week it was Republicans' chance to have the national spotlight during the convention in Cleveland. Now it's the Democrats' turn in Philadelphia and at a time Hillary Clinton is taking the national spotlight, Donald Trump is bringing his campaign here to Scranton.
"I think it's very good for the area, focus attention on the area," said Jerry Histed of Archbald.
Voters are looking forward to all the attention from both presidential candidates, even though it comes at a cost
"I'm not concerned from a taxpayer stance," Histed added. "Democracy, that's what it's all about. People have to pay sooner or later."
