All elected Wisconsin Democrats endorse Harris ahead of her Milwaukee campaign kickoff

Every elected Democratic lawmaker who represents the state of Wisconsin has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as she begins her presidential campaign in Milwaukee on Tuesday. 

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), both Democratic U.S. representatives, and other notable statewide elected officials have endorsed Harris ahead of her visit to the Badger State. The campaign move comes right after the Republican National Convention concluded in Milwaukee last week.

“Wisconsin Democrats are united, fired up, and ready to deliver Wisconsin for Vice President Kamala Harris. Already, Vice President Harris has won endorsements from Governor Evers, Tammy Baldwin, and every other statewide elected Democrat, as well as elected Democrats at all levels and grassroots leaders and activists across the state,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Ben Wikler said in a statement endorsing Harris.

In the 48 hours since President Joe Biden announced he would not be seeking reelection come November, Harris has broken fundraising records with a $100 million haul to her campaign. Wikler highlighted Wisconsin’s contribution.

“We’ve seen record-breaking fundraising, with Wisconsin Democrats raising more than $140,000 in 24 hours. There’s no one better prepared to prosecute the case against Donald Trump than Vice President Harris, and our endorsement makes it official: Wisconsin Democrats are all in for Kamala Harris,” he continued.

Evers did not immediately endorse Harris, waiting until the next day. He said Biden was a “good friend,” and appeared emotional when talking about him. 

“I didn’t endorse yesterday of the vice president [for] one simple reason: I wanted President Biden to have that connection to the people of Wisconsin, let him have that,” Evers said with Baldwin standing beside him. “The Vice President, I know her well. … She’s done a great job and I believe that she’s going to win.”

Baldwin also endorsed Harris yesterday. Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who ran an unsuccessful campaign against Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) in 2022, also endorsed Harris.

Both of Wisconsin’s House Democrats, Rep. Mark Pocan and Rep. Gwen Moore, endorsed Harris. Pocan previously called on Biden to exit the race.

Other notable Wisconsin Democrats who have endorsed Harris include Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

Before Biden suspended his presidential campaign, he campaigned in Madison and put up a defiant front. “They’re trying to push me out of the race. Let me say this clearly as I can, I’m staying in the race,” he said.

Wisconsin is viewed as a must-win swing state for both Harris, if she becomes the nominee, and former President Donald Trump. In 2020, Biden flipped the state blue by just 20,000 votes. In 2016, Trump broke the blue wall and flipped the state red by a little more than 27,000 votes.