MADISON (WAOW) – Longtime northern Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey is endorsing State Superintendent of Schools Tony Evers in the crowded race for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in November.

Obey, who retired in 2011 after winning elections since 1969 in the 7th District, said Evers will work to put Wisconsin back on the right track and focus on the entire state.

“Tony is a Wisconsin success story, having served communities from Tomah to Oakfield," Obey said in a statement. "He knows the challenges that rural Wisconsin faces because rural Wisconsin is where Tony spent almost half his life. Tony can unite Wisconsin, restore respect to education, put a focus on statewide job growth, make BadgerCare stronger and protect our environment.”

Evers is one of eight Democrats seeking the nomination in the Aug. 14 primary. Others are attorney Matt Flynn, liberal activist Mike McCabe, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma, state firefighters union head Mahlon Mitchell, attorney and former state Rep. Kelda Roys and attorney Josh Pade.

The latest Marquette University Law School poll on the race had Evers, who has won three statewide elections as a nonpartisan candidate, leading the field with 25 percent, followed by Flynn, McCabe and Soglin at 7 percent each.