Don’t think for one second that the voters of Suffolk aren’t important to national politics. Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden’s visit yesterday to Nansemond River High School and the work done by both political parties to raise the exposure of their candidates across the city confirm that Suffolk is, indeed, on the political map — even for the presidency.

Close presidential elections in 2000 and 2004 reinforced the truth of the old adage that every vote counts. The candidates seeking the highest office in the land realize that fact better than anyone. With polls fluctuating every day, it is still conceivable that this race remains anyone’s election.

Biden’s visit is the first time a candidate on the presidential ticket has come to town since 1964, when Democratic presidential candidate Lyndon B. Johnson stumped in Suffolk.

“And he won,” Suffolk Democratic Committee Chairman Art Bredemeyer pointed out this week. “The state has gone Republican since then. Maybe that is behind the strategy in coming to Suffolk.”

Whatever the reason for Biden’s visit, every vote does, in fact, count. And to some, Suffolk’s votes mean just a little more.