MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Tuesday, July 28, the one and only gubernatorial primary debate was held in Milwaukee.

All five remaining Democratic candidates for governor squared off for the last time.

The debate was hosted by WISN 12 News and comes two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary election.

The candidates are each projecting a lot of confidence, both about their debate performances and about their chances in the final two weeks.

But behind the smiles and cordiality is a fractured Democratic party many of them acknowledged.

Some of the debate questions focused on those topics: a Democratic socialist leading the polls to the chagrin of some party operatives, two candidates in a war of words to win the establishment’s backing, and two lower performers insisting they can still gain ground.

Awaiting the winner is Republican Tom Tiffany, who has consolidated his party’s support and financial backing for months as the Democratic drama plays out. 

But despite the high stakes, there were few fireworks at the debate; no blatant attacks or open infighting.

That also means the debate may have done little to move the needle for the estimated 45% of Democratic voters still undecided.

We spoke with each candidate after the debate.

We asked frontrunner Francesca Hong if she expected more attacks. She told us, “No. I think we were always going to run a positive, policy-forward debate. And it’s… it’s been a little bit dramatic, but we are not focused on the drama, we are focused on winning.”

Hong is squarely in the sights of Mandela Barnes and David Crowley, each fighting to win the party establishment vote. 

Crowley’s re-entry into the race 10 days ago—with Governor Evers’ backing—was the latest twist to set off a firestorm: Barnes was furious and called out Crowley then and late in the debate. 

Barnes told us after, “I can tell you they weren’t strong words, they were true words. The fact is the establishment has tried to put their thumb on the scale. And I can tell you, when decisions about democracy are made in smoke-filled rooms, the only people that win are special interests and corporations. We’ve had enough of it. We deserve so much more here in Wisconsin.”

Crowley said, “Well, I think that he has seen a lot of the momentum that we have been able to build. And you know what? I would be upset if my former boss didn’t pick me, either. But Governor Evers has not only worked with the lieutenant governor, he’s worked with many folks who are in this race. And so, for him to endorse me really speaks to how he’s watched my leadership, how he’s seen my judgment.”

The third tier of candidates includes Joel Brennan and Kelda Roys, both of whom have consistently polled in the low single digits and have struggled to build momentum. But each said they’re confident in their campaigns as long as they can keep getting the word out. 

Brennan said, “People haven’t been paying much attention. They’re starting to now. And with every passing day, I find more people who are getting more interested in what we’re doing. Because it’s their ability, it’s their opportunity now to decide.”

Roys told us, “I am the candidate best positioned to bring together a fractured Democratic party. To both engage the young voters and the progressives who are so furious at the status quo, and rightfully so. But do so without alienating the moderates, the independents.”