The event at the Pfister Hotel came about a week before the election. Crowley, Milwaukee County’s executive, is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s first open race for governor since 2010.

Harris said she came to thank supporters for helping Crowley and encouraged them to keep working. She told the crowd that people’s frustration with the Trump administration could be turned into political action, and warned that money was being spent to persuade voters their ballots did not matter.

“For the next eight days, let’s get out there and do everything we possibly can,” Harris said, urging attendees to show voters what they want from their leaders.

Crowley adapted his campaign’s “Three T’s” appeal — time, talent and treasure — to emphasize turnout rather than donations. “We may not have billionaires, but we got something better. We’ve got you,” he said.

Rising household expenses were a recurring subject for speakers, including Crowley’s wife, Ericka, who described the strain of grocery prices and paying tuition for a child in college. Harris characterized the cost of living as a women’s issue and promoted Crowley’s proposals for affordable child care and health care. She said Crowley’s plan would limit child-care costs to 7% of a family’s income.

Megan Czarnyszka, a single mother and small-business owner from the Milwaukee suburbs, said her health insurance costs had tripled. She told attendees she was concerned about the premium and deductible burden, as well as school funding, and wanted Democrats to win control of the Legislature and governor’s office.

Crowley criticized Tiffany over his record in Congress, while Harris accused the Republican of opposing certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory in two states. Tiffany has said he would have voted against certifying Wisconsin’s result as well. Harris said Biden won the election.

Tiffany, in a statement before Harris’ visit, accused Crowley of pursuing tax increases, higher spending and toll roads, and said Wisconsin voters should reject what he called California-style policies.

Harris was the latest high-profile Democrat to campaign for Crowley. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were also among Democrats who had visited or planned to visit the state.

Some attendees said they came to learn more about the race or to share the experience with family. Czarnyszka said she wanted her daughter to see civic participation firsthand. The rally’s appeal was both political and personal: speakers asked voters to organize, while attendees described how health care, education and everyday costs affect their households.