MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) – Normally, Wisconsin Democrats hold a state convention in June, but this year the party held a one-day, virtual event for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats spent Friday night laying out what's at stake this fall—knowing full well all eyes will be on Wisconsin.

“Votes should all count the same but because of the Electoral College, an institution rooted in slavery, a handful of states determine the election, and if you look at the models Wisconsin is the state most of all most likely to determine which way this country goes in November,” Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said.

Presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, echoed the priority the party put on having a conversation about racial equality.

“It's time for us to face the deep opened wound of systemic racism in this country,” Biden said. “Nothing about this is going to be easy or comfortable, but if we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury we will never truly heal.”

Political rival turned supporter Sen. Bernie Sanders offered a message of unity, urging Wisconsinites not to lose focus.

“I know there are folks within the Democratic Party who will have differences of opinion on this issue and that issue, and I am certainly one who does have differences with many of us, but at this particular moment our job, clearly, must be to elect Joe Biden as our next president,” Sanders said.
 

However, the evening wasn't entirely about the road to the White House and turning Wisconsin blue again.

“The reality is that Republicans need to pick up just three seats in the Senate and three seats in the Assembly to have a supermajority,” State Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) said.

On the state level, Democrats worry Gov. Tony Evers could lose power if more Republicans are elected in November.
 

“This year, we have to fight for our legislative candidates,” Gov. Evers said. “We have to ensure my veto stays intact. We have to win seats Republicans have held way too long due to extreme gerrymandering.”

If Republicans pick up enough seats to override vetos by Gov. Evers, Democrats say Republicans could use the redistricting process to control Wisconsin for the next decade.