Gov. Tony Evers said, “Of course we’ll be helpful” if Francesca Hong wins Tuesday’s Democratic primary for governor after spending the weekend campaigning for David Crowley.

“She’s a Democrat, of course we’ll be helpful, but that’s not going to happen,” Evers said on WISN 12’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics-State Affairs.

“This guy is going to win,” Evers said while sitting next to Crowley.

Crowley added: “We have a duty. Our duty, no matter who is in this race, is ultimately to make sure that a Republican is not occupying the governor’s office, and so I will back whoever it is. But I plan to be the nominee.”

Evers said it ultimately wasn’t a hard decision to endorse in the chaotic primary.

“I knew that we had to do something in a really significant way,” Evers said. “We knew we had a great candidate available to win this race, and no, I wanted to be relatively neutral, but at the end of the day, I felt it was important to get behind David and make sure that we bring some people to the fore that will help him get across the finish line.”

When asked what the tipping point was to weigh in, Evers said, “When I saw people leaving, coming back; for me it was the time I had to play a role.”

Crowley has spent the final weeks distancing himself from the notion that establishment Democrats are backing his campaign, including the governor.

“I’ve fought my entire life not to be labeled, not to be put into a box,” the Milwaukee County exec said. “And so to hear establishment, it gets frustrating.”

Crowley said his campaign is “looking at and taking into account all the polls that we have seen,” but added, “After seeing what happened in Michigan, that means we have to pause a little bit because all these polls have not necessarily been telling the truth.”

Hong is scheduled to hold multiple get-out-the-vote events in the Madison area today after hitting more than a dozen cities in recent days.

“Fran’s schedule is back-to-back on the GOTV tour through election day,” a campaign spokesperson told “UpFront.” “So we’re not able to accommodate an interview this week. Right now we’re focused on talking directly with voters.”

Earlier in the week, the state rep from Madison underscored to POLITICO the importance of the final stretch.

“We absolutely need every single vote, and we’ll be fighting to earn every single vote,” Hong said. “And I’ve talked to moderates and independents, Republicans, folks who don’t have a political home right now, and they have a lot of concerns about what’s going on in the state, and they also have concerns about things I’ve said in the past, but what we’re focusing on and how to come together to actually deliver for Wisconsinites, and that’s going to be electing Democrats down and up the ballot this cycle.”

Kelda Roys said she has seen a “huge surge of support” after the primary debate.

“I’m going to continue traveling the state, answering questions from voters all over the state about their priorities,” the Madison state senator told “UpFront.” “I think this is a late-breaking race. People want a governor who can beat Tom Tiffany and who is ready to govern on day one.”

When asked to describe the state of the race in the final days, Roys said: “Absolutely wild, totally unpredictable, and I would say just get ready for surprises. I mean, this is what primaries are for. We do not have to accept the idea that dark money is going to buy this primary.”

Joel Brennan, the former DOA secretary, also said he’s seen a surge of support after the debate.

“There have been, and you have seen the twists and turns over the last couple of weeks,” Brennan told “UpFront.” “There are ways that elections change in the last few days.”

When asked if he’s received any pressure from fellow Democrats to drop out of the race, Brennan said, “I have conversations with Democrats all the time. Most of the Democrats I’m talking to, I’m talking about voting in the primary here and what the path to victory is for Democrats in November.

“I think people have just started to check in,” Brennan added. “And that’s to my benefit.”

Bobby DeNault, the head of enforcement and legal counsel for Kalshi, calls recent guidance from the Wisconsin Elections Commission “unprecedented, dangerous and unlawful.”

The commission recently told Wisconsin voters it’s illegal to place wagers on the election on popular prediction markets like Kalshi and then cast a ballot in that election.

“It’s not possible for a state to make it criminal for someone to participate in a licensed activity that is allowed under federal law,” DeNault told “UpFront.” 

He added the company believes states can’t criminalize activity that’s legal under federal law.

“I think voters should exercise all rights that they are entitled to exercise,” DeNault added. “Including their right to vote and to have their voice heard and to trade on a legal contract market that’s licensed by the federal government.”

Meanwhile, Ann Jacobs, a Democratic member of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, says she’s “almost speechless” from the claims made by Kalshi.

“It’s so over the top,” Jacobs said. “I mean to call the idea that a law that’s been on the books since 1849 dangerous is simply bizarre. Do you know what’s dangerous? Kids playing with matches, PFAS in our water. Those things are dangerous. What’s not dangerous is a law that says if you bet on an election, you can’t vote.”

Jacobs said all the commission has done is point out a law that’s been in place since 1849 to make sure voters are aware of it.

When asked if voters could face criminal charges if they both vote and place wagers on those elections on prediction markets, Jacobs said, “The issue of criminal charges I leave to the district attorneys of the state. The Elections Commission doesn’t prosecute people. We do not hold that authority. We’ve issued guidance to people so that they can better understand what the laws that govern voting are.”

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