Gov. Jim Doyle, who purposely stayed out of the fray throughout the Democratic primaries by withholding his support for any particular candidate, finally cast his endorsement with Sen. John Kerry, Mass., Wednesday.

“It is time for the party to get behind John Kerry and his campaign to take back the White House for ordinary Americans. I will do whatever I can to help him win Wisconsin and become the next president of the United States,” Doyle said in a statement.

Doyle and his wife Jessica campaigned for Kerry’s failed congressional bid years ago. He also attended Kerry’s victory party after the Massachusetts senator won the Wisconsin primary Feb. 17.

For many Democrats, the governor’s endorsement signals the uniting of the Democratic Party behind their nominee as they gear up for the November election. Although many understand Doyle’s desire to remain neutral throughout the primary process, many Democrats feel having the state executive on their side will prove powerful against Bush.

“[Doyle] is an incredibly popular governor,” Steven Singh, chair of College Democrats of Wisconsin, said. “When he backs John Kerry, it gives Kerry just that much more momentum and credibility in the state.”

Singh indicated Doyle and Kerry would make an effective campaign team in the fall as they work to win votes. Due to Wisconsin’s progressive tradition, Singh said, “Kerry will carry the state, no pun intended.”

The endorsement, however, does not necessarily translate into a huge edge for Democrats in Wisconsin, according to some Bush supporters. Even though Wisconsin has voted with the Democratic ticket in the past four presidential elections, the state’s close 2000 contest in which Gore just barely edged out Bush proves Wisconsin is set to be a battleground state.

“It is not a tragedy that George Bush does not have an endorsement from the governor of Wisconsin,” Frank Hennick, co-chair of Students for Bush said. “Governor Doyle is not the only political force in Wisconsin.”

Doyle’s endorsement, however, was a coveted commodity throughout the primary season, particularly as Wisconsin proved to be a key contest in the race. Don Eggert, co-chair of Students for Kerry, said although Doyle’s support for the Massachusetts senator is appreciated, it would have been more powerful before the votes were cast in the Wisconsin primary.

“If his endorsement was to have any value, it needed to come before the primary,” Eggert said, adding that several states’ governors did cast their endorsement with a candidate prior to primaries in their states in order to help citizens determine their choice for the nominee.

Despite this, many Democrats claim what remains most important is staying united as a party and fighting together to unseat Bush in the fall. Some argue Doyle’s decision to show no favoritism until the candidate was selected has proven to be an important asset in cementing party unity.

“People are No. 1, first and foremost, united behind whoever wins the nomination,” Singh said. “I don’t think this party could be any more united than it is right now.”