Wisconsin Democrats talk Harris-Walz momentum before DNC

CHICAGO (WKBT) -- A month ago President Joe Biden was still running for reelection, and Donald Trump led in key battleground states. Now ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Democrats say they have serious momentum behind the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket and this convention is a golden opportunity to widen slim leads. For Democratic Party Chairmen like Wisconsin's Ben Wikler, there's no doubt about it. "Vice President Harris has electrified the Democratic Party." Wikler says President Biden's selfless decision to put country before himself was a lightning bolt the party needed. County leaders like Deb Dassow in eastern Wisconsin couldn't agree more. "We had an event at our office the night of the debate, and it was really a sad evening," she said. "Our office was packed yesterday. They all want the signs, they want to be able to help. I have not seen energy in this county like this ever." Dassow works in one of the suburban counties near Milwaukee that have historically won Republicans elections. She says her county used to be 65-35 red. Now, it's basically 50-50 — reflecting the state's dead-heat between Harris and Donald Trump. "Right now the Democratic Party is sitting where the voters are, which is to say opposing abortion bans, supporting efforts to crack down on price gouging for groceries and bring costs of prescription drugs down," Wikler said. "It's the reason why at this moment I think all the political forecasters say that Wisconsin's likely to be very close, but Vice President Harris has the edge." Part of the edge for Wisconsin voters could be Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz — a former National Guardsman and public school teacher. "This is someone who really connects with Wisconsinites, as well, and they're running this campaign that's full of joy and positive energy and this laser focus on freedom and on bringing costs down," Wikler said. He and Dassow hope convention speakers will focus on speaking to middle class issues to prove that Democrats are the party who will look out for them. "Maintaining the progressive movement of making lives better for people in this country no matter where you live or who you are," Dassow said. Because those Wisconsin voters could decide the oval office. "We're the tipping point state for Trump in 2016, for Biden in 2020," Wikler said. "We might well be the tipping point state for Harris to become President in 2024."

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.