Clinton and Obama enter the state all but deadlocked after Tuesday’s contests in 22 states. Both sides are preparing for a weeks-long slog in which virtually every delegate takes on huge significance.

Each campaign boasts strong ties to the state’s leading Democrats. Obama is backed by Gov. Timothy Kaine and Rep. Robert Scott, D-Va., the state’s only black congressman.

Clinton’s deputy campaign manager, Mike Henry, directed Kaine’s 2005 campaign, which relied in part on winning Prince William and Loudoun. Mo Elleithee, a communications specialist, and Matt Felan, a finance official, who have extensive Virginia roots, are working on her state strategy. Mame Reilly of Alexandria, a confidante of former governor Mark Warner and the head of a Democratic National Committee caucus on women, is one of her most prominent supporters in the state.

Obama strategists have broken Virginia into four parts — Northern Virginia, Richmond, Charlottesville and the Tidewater area — all of which are filled with the voters they seek. He is expected to hold events in all four areas as he blitzes the region Sunday and Monday.