The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. 

There has been little polling for the Democratic primary gubernatorial race and the 3rd Congressional District (CD) Democratic primary election. I urge voters to ignore the limited polling and instead go to the polls and vote on Tuesday, August 11. Pollsters don’t always get it right. The Michigan Democratic primary Senate race is exhibit A. Multiple polls gave Abdul El-Sayed a double-digit lead over Haley Stevens. However, he only won by 1 percent, a photo finish.

The Washington Post reported that big polling errors “happen more often in primaries than general elections. … Primary polling is harder because voters’ opinions are more fluid, and lower turnout makes the task of identifying ‘likely’ voters more challenging than in general elections.” Contrary to popular assumptions, there are still many persuadable and undecided voters trying to make up their minds in the Democratic primary gubernatorial race.

I previously endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as the best candidate for governor. His election wins, experience as a state legislator and county executive and record of important accomplishments (more affordable housing, improved public health and strengthened public safety) check all the boxes. Democratic Governor Tony Evers recognizes all of this and has fulsomely endorsed Crowley. Evers said: “It’s always been people before party. I want, more than for Democrats to win in November, it’s to leave Wisconsin in good hands when someone else takes over. Wisconsin comes first, always.” Evers praised Crowley for getting things done and making “tough decisions.”

Crowley negotiated Act 12 with GOP state legislative leaders. The bipartisan legislation reversed a generational decline of shared revenue and sent increased state monies to rural towns, suburbs and cities to solve local problems. He also got authority for a small increase in Milwaukee County’s sales tax and the city of Milwaukee finally got approval to levy a sales tax, relieving pressure to increase property taxes. Crowley delivered results for the entire state.

Crowley’s get-it-done mentality is partly why labor unions have endorsed him. Unions also applaud Crowley’s promise to repeal Act 10 which all but ended collective bargaining for public workers. Crowley said: “Repealing Act 10 is only the beginning. We’re going to restore prevailing wage laws because when taxpayer dollars fund public projects, they should support good-paying jobs.” He also strongly supports apprenticeship programs and trade schools to prepare future workers for essential good-paying jobs.

I also want to endorse 3rd CD Democratic primary candidate Rebecca Cooke. She is a once-in-a-generation, inspirational candidate. Cooke fits the 3rd CD to a T. Cooke grew up on a dairy farm and was president of her 4-H club. She has built a broad, impressive, formidable campaign based on bread-and-butter issues. Moreover, Cooke is ready to hit the ground running in Congress. She will represent regular folks and take on corporate and reactionary interests. Cooke is unbought and will be obligated only to the voters of the 3rd CD.

Everything is on the line. Vote for Crowley and Cooke on Tuesday, August 11.

– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.