In the final speech of Saturday’s Democratic state convention, Gov. Tony Evers touted his administration’s achievements and warned of the existential threat posed by a possible GOP successor.

The two-term governor is not running for reelection.

Before he took the stage, a 15-minute tribute video featuring his staff, Dem operatives, lawmakers, former Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and members of Congress heaped praise on the two-term governor for his leadership, handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and support for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.

Evers painted his tenure as a campaign of recovery after Republican-wrought ruin, highlighting: his efforts to increase K-12 and higher ed funding; a successful bid to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee and keep the city from bankruptcy; his ability to work across the aisle with the Republicans who continued to dominate the Legislature throughout his tenure; and his campaign to “fix the damn roads.” 

“I say all this not just so we can pat ourselves on the back,” Evers said. “Although, we should do that too.” 

Democrats’ hard work put the party in prime position for November, the guv said. But he warned of a serious threat in presumptive GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany. Evers said the Minocqua Republican has spent his congressional career “saying no to Wisconsin and yes to Donald Trump.”

Tiffany, Evers said, was “one of the most extreme members of one of the most extreme Republican Parties of my lifetime,” and would undo Dem efforts to protect clean water, school and library funding, abortion rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.

He implored Dems to rally behind the eventual nominee immediately after August’s primary. 

“I have won five statewide elections in this battleground state. I know how to win in Wisconsin. So take it from me: our Democratic candidate for governor will need every single one of us,” Evers said. 

He closed with a thank you to Democrats and a tribute to his home state.

“Wisconsin made me who I am, and it has been the privilege of my life to be able to give back to the state that raised me,” he said, choking up.