Wisconsin Democrats say they are increasingly optimistic about their chances of knocking of Republican Gov. Scott Walker next year, even though a top tier candidate has yet to emerge and they're still recovering from a devastating 2016 election.

Democrats are gathering this weekend for the Wisconsin state party convention. They say liberals are energized in opposition both to President Donald Trump and Republicans closely tied to him like Walker.

Walker's approval rating has been below 50 percent since early 2014.

But their recent track record hasn't been good. Democrats are still trying to recover from Trump becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to carry Wisconsin since 1984. And Walker has been challenged plenty but has won three elections since 2010.