We’re just a few months away from the start of primary elections, and the Republican race is clearly shaping up as a two-man contest between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. And, so far, all signs point to Florida being a big deal this cycle, perhaps the decisive battle.

This is a role that the Sunshine State has played in the past. In 1976 Jimmy Carter’s solid victory over George Wallace in Florida ended the latter’s candidacy, and helped Carter enormously in his pursuit of the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, Florida was hugely important in 2008; it ended Rudy Giuliani’s candidacy and helped John McCain consolidate his lead over Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.