Crowley kicks off Democrat unity tour as supporters & former opponents rally behind governor candidate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a bruising primary campaign ended in the early-morning hours, Wisconsin Democrats quickly pivoted to show a united front behind David Crowley.

The party hosted several events throughout the area Wednesday, August 12.

David Crowley has the full support of dozens of party leaders, office holders, and candidates, all of whom are joining him on a statewide blitz to kick off the general campaign.

Crowley told us after his last event of the day, "It was amazing. There’s nothing like having your neighbors, your mentors, your teachers those who’ve seen you grow up in this community come out to support you."

He said when Milwaukee's vote totals came in and delivered him a victory, "Honestly, it was surreal. Not only… That’s it. It was surreal."

Short on sleep and at a loss for words, a victorious Crowley returned to Milwaukee as the Democratic nominee for governor.

Wednesday's Democratic tour of unity was kicked off by Crowley's hometown victory speech, where he welcomed all voters into the Democratic tent.

Crowley said, "It's about building something bigger than any one campaign. It's about building a movement, y'all."

He then went to the Democratic unity breakfast in Madison, heading a table that included primary opponents Kelda Roys, Joel Brennan, and Francesca Hong.

Crowley said in Madison, "We know that we need to bring everybody to the table."

His running mate—Sara Godlewski—joined him at each event. She said, "We are united to defeat Tom Tiffany this November."

In Racine, Democratic candidates up and down the ballot rallied for Crowley.

Then it was on to Milwaukee.

County chair Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell told the crowd, "What a night, huh? Oh my gosh. I’m tired."

There, local politicians lauded Hong, her platform, and made the clearest overtures yet to her supporters.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin told the crowd, "She brought new energy into this party."

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, "She made this party argue about things, the right things."

Johnson told her supporters, "You didn’t lose. You grew this party. You helped this party."

Some Hong voters told us they’re fully behind Crowley now.

Nat Godley said, "It should be easy for the vast majority of Democratic voters to switch over." He added, "Francesca Hong, who was the person I voted for, has said she will stand behind him."

Former primary opponent Joel Brennan has also switched over. Brennan told the Milwaukee crowd, "Unify behind David Crowley, who’s going to be the next Governor of the state of Wisconsin."

At every stop, Crowley said his campaign is about beating Tom Tiffany in the general election, not about party divisions that were exposed during the primary race.

Crowley told us, "Right now, we’re going to continue to do what we’ve done. Because it’s clearly a winning strategy at this moment."

While Brennan stumped for Crowley in Milwaukee, Hong did not speak publicly about the race Wednesday.

Next up for Crowley is a multi-day campaign swing through the state.