Texas isn’t an early presidential voting state, but its 2016 Republican White House primary already feels well underway.

Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Rick Perry are already jockeying for home-state position. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also has Texas roots and new Land Commissioner George P. Bush is raising his profile as his father Jeb readies a run.

Such maneuvering is common everywhere but there’s new urgency because Texas is holding its 2016 primary on March 1. That’s only later than Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

That’s forcing prospective candidates to engage here sooner and donors to pick a favorite.

Many top Texas donors still insist it’s too early to choose sides. But they may not be able to hold out for much longer.

(AP)