Over the last week, Kentucky has hosted several members of the Clinton family for visits as Sen. Hillary Clinton fights for the Democratic nomination in the presidential election.

The recent stops by the Clintons and Sen. Barack Obama’s visit to Louisville in August 2007 has made it apparent that, for once, Kentucky has a voice in the party elections — at least for the Democratic nominee — because the race is so close.

While many Kentuckians are not pleased with the state’s late primary date, they should be enthused to finally have a say in the primaries.

Finally the state of Kentucky can be heard in the primaries, and we can only hope that the presidential candidates will continue to place an emphasis on Kentucky not only in this election, but in future elections as well.

Judging by the Clinton campaign’s recent stops, the presidential family realizes that Kentucky is more important than ever.

“I can’t do any of this without your help,” Hillary Clinton said in a Monday Kernel article. “You know, Kentucky counts.”

Hearing that Kentucky’s voices matter is music to the ears of many in the state that have watched campaign after campaign look past Kentucky when it comes to primaries.

Even though Sen. John McCain has already won the Republican bid, he should not take Kentucky’s votes lightly. Like Clinton and Obama, he should make a stop in the state and listen to what Kentuckians have to say.

A stop in Kentucky would especially benefit McCain if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee. Many view Obama as the young person’s candidate, and without speaking to Kentucky’s younger generations, McCain would likely have a difficult time garnering much of the younger population’s vote from the Commonwealth.

Based on the turnouts at the Clintons’ visits this past week, Kentuckians want to be heard, and they want to listen to the issues to make the right choice.

Obama will likely visit the state again before Kentucky’s primary on May 20. Let’s hope that he and McCain both do so.

The opportunity to make Kentucky matter in the primaries has never been better, and the candidates should take advantage of a time when Kentucky’s political interests are so important.