Next up: Michigan, South Carolina, Nevada and Florida. All leading-up to what has been dubbed "Tsunami Tuesday" when voters in 20-states, including California go to the polls. That's February 5th.
Political analysts say now that Senator Clinton has exceeded expectations with a surprise victory over senator Obama in New Hampshire, Americans should prepare for the possibility of a long battle for the party's nomination.
David Karol is a political science professor at UC Berkeley.
"We now know that with both leading Democratic candidates having won an early contest and both being well funded, this race is going to continue, it's going to continue for weeks and we in California are actually going to play a role in the process," said UC Berkeley professor David Karol, Ph.D.
That's because for the first time, California will be part of Super Tuesday.
Lawmakers voted to move up the state's primary last year in hopes of giving the Golden State more clout in the nominating process.
"So Super Tuesday which California is a major part is definitely going to see a lot of activity and we are actually going to have a meaningful vote," said Karol.
It's a scenario that experts say could play out on the Republican side as well.
Chris Lehane is a campaign strategist.
"The most likely scenario is Huckabee wins South Carolina, McCain wins Michigan, and then you go to Florida, which could potentially be the state that really determines who the Republican nominee is. Although if that race is competitive, then you come to California on February 5th," said campaign strategist Chris Lehane.
And that's where Rudy Giuliani hopes he can win big. The former New York mayor all but deserted his efforts in Iowa and New Hampshire to focus on delegate-rich states.
"That strategy, picking regional areas, and coming in late, has not worked well in the past, so we'll have to wait and see. It's a very unusual situation with a very fractured vote, but right now, with McCain gaining momentum, the Giuliani strategy doesn't look as smart as it did a couple months ago," said ABC7 News political analyst Bruce Cain, Ph.D.
"Most of the candidates plan to take a quick break from the campaign trail, but in the coming days and weeks, you can expect them to appeal to donors for more money and seek endorsements from key labor groups.
