The officially nonpartisan race divided the state. Walker’s Republican allies and out-of-state conservative and corporate donors rushed to defend Prosser, while labor activists and many Democrats backed his challenger. In a dramatic turn late in the campaign, former Gov. Patrick Lucey abandoned his support for Prosser, announcing: "I have followed with increasing dismay and now alarm the campaign of Justice David Prosser, whom I endorsed at the outset of his campaign and in whose campaign I serve as the honorary co-chairman. I can no longer in good conscience lend my name and support to Justice Prosser's candidacy. Too much has come to light that Justice Prosser has lost that most crucial of characteristics for a Supreme Court justice — as for any judge — even-handed impartiality. Along with that failing has come a disturbing distemper and lack of civility that does not bode well for the high court in the face of demands that are sure to be placed on it in these times of great political and legal volatility."