Wisconsin's three Democratic gubernatorial candidates threw themselves into last-ditch campaign efforts Monday, visiting sites around the state to drum up crucial votes before today's primary.
Attorney General Jim Doyle whirled through four Wisconsin towns as part of his nonstop, 24-hour salute to public service, according to Doyle aid John Kraus. The tour included an 11:30 p.m. stop Monday at a Racine police and firefighter vigil and a scheduled visit to the Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha at 2 a.m. today.
\This is an opportunity for Jim to travel around the state and salute the good work of public servants who are really doing good things in the state of Wisconsin,"" Kraus said. ""We're finishing as we began, working hard and running a state wide campaign.""
According to a poll released by UW-Milwaukee last week, Doyle is at the forefront of the race. But workers for the two other Democratic candidates remained optimistic Monday.
U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, D-Milwaukee, and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk trailed Doyle in recent polls, although their respective representatives said the candidates remain confident they could still win the primary.
""[Falk's] been making up ground like crazy. She started out 33 points behind the attorney general, and the last poll that ran last week showed her as close as five,"" said Falk's spokesman, Scot Ross.
According to Barrett aid Brigid O'Brien, Barrett fares well with young people and seniors throughout his campaign and does not worry about running second to Doyle in polls.
""The poll share is kind of a toss-up. We're trying to reach as many voters as we can to make sure we can pull out a victory on Tuesday,"" O'Brien said.
Barrett concentrated his final efforts on the southeastern corner of Wisconsin. He is making more than 30 stops in the Milwaukee area Monday and Tuesday.
""Senior centers, firehouses, university campuses'you name it, he's just stopping and shaking hands with voters and reminding them that tomorrow is the day to get out and vote,"" O'Brien said.
While Doyle and Barrett spent their last few hours campaigning outside Madison, Falk hosted a rally Monday evening on Library Mall that featured local band Smokin' With Superman and radio talk show host Michael Feldman. Between sets, Falk addressed the crowd, mostly targeting her message toward students.
""We are neck and neck with 26 hours to go. I need you to take five of your friends to the polls with you tomorrow,"" she said.
UW-Madison junior Erica Korer, who said she was still undecided, stopped to listen to the Falk rally on her way to the library.
""Now Kathleen Falk is the only person I've seen speak,"" she said. ""It's given me some things to think about.""
But UW-Madison senior Katie Balke said the rally had no effect on her vote.
""I came just to see the band,"" she said.
