MORGANTOWN -- The 2008 Primary Election is beginning to heat up here in West Virginia. Sunday afternoon, a former Presidential candidate was in the Mountain State campaigning for Senator Barack Obama.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd was a candidate in the election and as he told to the crowd that had assembled at Obama's Morgantown headquarters, he felt that this race, whether he is a candidate or not, was the right one to be involved in.

Senator Dodd gave a very passionate speech about the importance of the upcoming primary here in West Virginia and the national election in November. Dodd spoke on the current state of the nation and how he believes Obama can help change that.

The campaign office was nearly filled to hear the Senator speak. Several other elected officials also were in attendance in support of the visit.

Senator Dodd told 12 News why he feels it's important for the Democratic party to choose one candidate before its national convention.

"It isn't just our party. We have to attract Independents and Republicans. Because come January 20th, you are not going to win with just one party and you can't move the country forward with one party. So it's important that we come to a conclusion on this race sooner rather than later." Senator Dodd said Sunday afternoon.

After staying to meet and talk to the crowd in Morgantown the Senator made his way to Clarksburg for a rally where he spoke to veterans at the American Legion Post.

West Virginia's primary is set for May 13th.