WORLEY - Liberals. Tree-huggers. Californians.

Democrats in North Idaho are often outnumbered and called many things by Republicans, but there's a new label they're seeking in 2012: winners.

Optimism ran high as 165 people packed the Coeur d'Alene Casino conference room Saturday evening for the Kootenai County Democrats' 10th annual Democracy Dinner.

Wisconsin State Sen. Jon Erpenbach had plenty to say about his state's battles over collective bargaining, but also showed he had done some reading before his first visit to Idaho.

"Who's Phil Hart?" Erpenbach joked as the room roared with laughter.

And after pledging to do whatever he could to help the candidate running against the Athol state representative, Erpenbach laughed himself as Legislative District 2 candidate Dan English walked up to the podium with a business card and a campaign wooden nickel stating, "Had your fill? Vote for Dan."

All jokes aside, Erpenbach and the evening's other speaker, Idaho 1st Congressional District candidate Jimmy Farris, said the outcome of both local and national elections this fall will have ramifications for years to come.

"(Republicans) talk about wanting less government - unless you're a woman and it's about your relationship with your doctor," Erpenbach said. "What we're seeing right now is a fight for the souls of the next generation."

Master of Ceremonies Mike Kennedy, a Coeur d'Alene city councilman, introduced Erpenbach by noting his resistance to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to end collective bargaining for the state's union employees.

Erpenbach said Walker's exaggeration of state budget woes and his unwillingness to compromise with unions and legislators is reflected in the actions of other conservative lawmakers across the country, including Idaho.

"This has absolutely nothing to do with balancing a budget ... and has everything to do with busting unions and privatizing the state of Wisconsin," he said. "This is all about an assault on the middle class in Wisconsin."

Erpenbach stressed that Democrats are on the right side of the issues for many people - including Tea Party voters and libertarians - and those voters can help Democrats reclaim majorities in state houses and Congress if they're told where Democratic candidates stand.

"This isn't about taking anybody's guns away," he said. "This is about making sure you have a job so you can buy a gun."

Farris, a Lewiston native who is seeking Republican Raul Labrador's seat in Congress, briefly introduced himself by noting the lessons he learned from both his father, a longtime educator, and football coaches who helped him become a six-year NFL player.

"I've always been the underdog, it's always been long odds for me," Farris said of his campaign. "I'm running because I care deeply about the quality of life for the citizens of Idaho and the citizens of America."