HIGHLAND | Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama plans a homestretch election stop in the region Friday heading into Tuesday's general election.

Obama, nearing his Chicago hometown election night rally, will make a late-game campaign stop at Highland's Wicker Park on Friday night, his campaign confirmed Wednesday.

It will be Obama's eighth visit to the state since July and his fourth stop in the region since April.

Republican opponent Arizona Sen. John McCain has made one recent trip to the Hoosier state -- an Indianapolis rally in July. McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, held a rally downstate Wednesday and has been a more frequent visitor to Indiana, with three stops in the last two weeks.

Obama spokesman Jonathan Swain said the Illinois senator is returning to Lake County to energize supporters in the final leg of the race.

"We feel like we have very strong support in Northwest Indiana," Swain said. "These few days are about motivating the base."