And now, things get real.

In the weeks leading up to the Sept. 6 primary, candidates are now switching from a marathon to a sprint. Surveys and polls are going to be increasingly important. Buying ad time on TV (and don’t forget this newspaper and its 10, soon to be 11 editions) is critical. Fundraising effort will be increased for the final push. Lawn signs will sprout all over the place. Ads through social media will increase.

I’m hoping candidates will respond to requests for interviews and participate in debates.

Because of open seats in many races, this primary is an important one. Where do we stand now? Here’s are some snapshots.

There are plenty of candidates who won’t have to do any heavy lifting. Both state Sens. Adam Gomez and Jo Comerford will not be facing opponents, which certainly indicates their popularity among their constituents. Among the state representatives that are running unopposed are Lindsay Sabadosa, Todd Smola, Mindy Domb, Patricia Duffy, Kelly Pease, Michael Finn, Carlos Gonzalez, Brian Ashe, Daniel Carey and Angelo Puppolo.

For Hampshire County, the primary sheriff’s race is between Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane, Caitlin Sepeda and Yvonne Gittelson. This may be the most prominent primary battle in Hampshire County this election season.

State Sen. Eric Lesser is facing a primary race for lieutenant governor against Kim Driscoll and Tami Gouveia. A recent press release from his campaign said that Lesser may be in third place at this point, according to polls, but surveys show his opponents also suffer from a lack of name recognition among Democratic voters.

Because Lesser is running for lieutenant governor, his senate seat is up for grabs. Sydney Levin-Epstein is bringing her experience working with other Democrats to her own campaign. She is garnering endorsements, such as recent ones from the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and by Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia.

State Rep. Jake Oliveria is also running for the same position, so there is a primary challenge here. He has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund.

The winner of that race will face Republican William Johnson, a well-known business owner from Granby.

Oliveria’s departure from the House has created a race for his state representative seat between Ludlow’s James “Chip” Harrington, known for his work on the School Committee as well as a business owner and in law enforcement. He is running as a Republican.

His opponent is Aaron Saunders of Belchertown, also with past experience in both government and business. He is a Democrat, so expect a more marathon pace to this contest leading up to a faster finish in November.

The decision for veteran House member Joseph Wagner to not seek re-election in Chicopee has created a race between three candidates: Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe, former City Council at-large candidate Shirley Arriaga and former City Council at-large candidate Sean Goonan. McAuliffe and Arriaga are both Democrats, so a primary will be conducted. Goonan is running as an independent and will face the primary winner in the fall.

State Sen. John Velis is being challenged by longtime Agawam City Councilor and Massachusetts Republican Party activist Cecilia Calabrese. Again, there is no primary here, but Calabrese came out swinging with numerous Facebook posts over the July 4 holiday. And based on those posts, expect a spirited level of rhetoric.

With Judge Mary Hurley’s decision not to run again for Governor’s Council, at least three Democrats are running in the primary for the position that covers the four western counties: Attorneys Jeffrey Morneau and Shawn Allen as well as attorney and Springfield City Councilor Michael Fentin.

A race that has yet to be fully engaged is between Republican incumbent Nicolas Boldyga and Democrat and Agawam City Councilor Anthony Russo. Again, no primary.

Statewide there will be primaries for state attorney with three Democrats – Andrea Campbell, Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey. The winner of that race will face Republican Jay McMahon.

For auditor there is a primary fight between Democrats Chris Dempsey and Diana DiZoglio. Security expert and investigator Anthony Amore is running as a Republican.

Longtime Secretary of State William Galvin is having a primary race with Tanisha Sullivan, while Republican candidate Rayla Campbell will face the winner of that contest.

The governor’s race is considered by some to be a done deal at this point. Attorney General Maura Healey has no primary opposition any longer. Republican candidates Chris Doughty and Geoff Diehl will have a primary and represent the differences in Republican ideology at this point. Doughty sees himself more as a traditional centralist Republican in the vein of Gov. Charlie Baker, while Diehl, who has the backing of the party, is a supporter of the policies of President Donald Trump.

Sorry for a longer column than usual, but clearly there is a lot going on politically in our region and state. I hope all of our readers, no matter what their affiliation, may be ready to listen to the candidates and go to the polls.