Democrats are energized — a week of high-profile speakers, heartfelt stories and momentum building at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago culminated in the final words of the party’s official 2024 presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“But America — we are not going back, we are not going back, we are not going back” Harris told the crowd inside the United Center.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris addresses the 2024 Democratic National Convention during her nomination acceptance speech on Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago. “Fellow Americans, this election is not only the most important of our lives. It is one of the most important in the life of our nation,” Harris said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

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Harris took the stage on the fourth night of the DNC and put an exclamation point on one of the most dramatic shifts seen in a presidential race in the 21st century.

“America, the path that led me here in recent weeks, was no doubt unexpected,” Harris said.

Five weeks earlier in Milwaukee, Donald Trump wrapped up the 2024 Republican National Convention with a lead in the polls, a united GOP and a weakened opponent in President Joe Biden. Two days later, Biden dropped out, and since then Harris has energized Democrats, raised more than $300 million, and made the race a dead heat heading into the stretch run.

“Fellow Americans, this election is not only the most important of our lives. It is one of the most important in the life of our nation,” she said.

Wisconsin could very well decide the 2024 election — and Democrats know it.

Vice President Kamala Harris walks on stage for her nomination acceptance speech to delegates at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, on Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“We’re going to make or break a process for that for our country,” said Gov. Tony Evers on the first day of the convention. “I do believe that the Democrats have to win in Wisconsin in order to have this great team go across the finish line.”

The Wisconsin delegation saw a parade of high-profile senators, governors and leaders from around the country speak to them each morning, none bigger than the vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who made the Wisconsin delegation his first stop of the week.

“Hey, good morning, Wisconsin,” Walz said to the assembled delegates.

The governor made clear that enthusiasm is great, but the election will only be won with hard work.

“Hope is the most powerful word in the universe. It’s not a plan, though. It’s not a plan to say we hope to beat these guys,” said Walz.

It’s a message repeated later in the week by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Now everything’s riding on Wisconsin,” she told the state’s delegates. “We must own the ground. We must mobilize. Because if you don’t mobilize, everything else you do is just a conversation, whether it’s on TV, in the mail, on the web — get out that vote!”

That message was repeated again from the main stage on the last night of the convention.

“So, let’s get out there, let’s fight for it. Let’s get out there, let’s vote for it,” said Harris. “And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Thank you.”