Wisconsin Democrats are scrambling to stage a rapid unity tour with their new gubernatorial ticket the day after Tuesday’s primary, aiming to paper over a chaotic and bitterly divided race that has exposed deep rifts in the party.
Politico reports that the first stop is a Wednesday morning breakfast at a cafe in Middleton featuring the party’s gubernatorial nominee, along with Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Mark Pocan. Gov. Tony Evers is also expected to attend. A rally is planned for Wednesday night in Milwaukee. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is likely to join even if he falls short in the primary.
The primary has been marked by candidate dropouts, a campaign finance scandal that sank one leading contender, late re-entries into the race, and open conflict between the party establishment and far-left forces. Evers, who is not seeking another term, intervened late by endorsing Crowley in a bid to block socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist who has led in polling and drawn support from national progressive figures. The governor’s involvement further inflamed tensions rather than settling them.
Party leaders view the immediate post-primary events as essential to present a united front against the expected Republican nominee, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, whose odds to win the governorship have surged amid Hong’s rise in the Democratic primary.
