Mandela Barnes drops out of the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor

Mandela Barnes, the former Wisconsin lieutenant governor and Democratic candidate for governor, withdrew from the primary race on July 30, 2026, amid shifting dynamics in a crowded field and ongoing scrutiny of his political record. The decision came less than two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary, leaving the Democratic nomination in flux as voters who had already cast absentee ballots faced uncertainty about their choices.

Barnes’ exit followed a Marquette Law School poll showing state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, leading him and other candidates by a significant margin. The former lieutenant governor cited the clarity of the race’s direction in a video statement, saying, “It’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be.” His campaign had struggled to gain traction against Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who re-entered the race in July with the endorsement of Gov. Tony Evers. Crowley, who previously withdrew and backed Sara Rodriguez before her campaign collapsed over financial issues, urged Barnes’ supporters to back his bid, claiming, “There’s a place for you in what we’re building.”

The withdrawal came as the Wisconsin Democratic Party reviewed allegations of inappropriate behavior against Barnes, including claims that he used his position to pursue relationships with young women. A 2025 internal review by a law firm hired by the party found no actionable evidence due to the anonymity and lack of specificity of the accusations. Barnes’ campaign denied any misconduct, stating, “There are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.” However, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the party had received anonymous complaints in 2024 and 2025, though no formal charges were filed.

Barnes’ departure marked the third exit in the Democratic race, following the campaigns of Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and former state economic development director Missy Hughes. Their names remain on the Aug. 11 ballot, as the Wisconsin Elections Commission finalized candidates before their withdrawals. Over 128,000 absentee ballots had already been submitted by July 30, with voters unable to change their choices if their selected candidate dropped out. A Dane County judge rejected a Democratic effort to allow voters to cancel and re-submit ballots, upholding the state’s policy that once a ballot is returned, it cannot be altered.

The primary has been marked by volatility, with Crowley’s return complicating efforts to unify the party behind a single candidate. Evers, who endorsed Crowley over Barnes, expressed surprise at the former lieutenant governor’s decision but reaffirmed his support for Crowley, citing the candidate’s collaboration with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers on local funding initiatives. Hong, who has not commented publicly on Barnes’ exit, has positioned herself as a progressive alternative to Crowley and Barnes, leveraging her base within the party’s liberal wing.

The race for governor is expected to set the stage for a general election showdown between the Democratic nominee and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican backed by President Donald Trump. Tiffany has framed the contest as a choice between a “socialist agenda” and “common sense,” emphasizing his support for traditional policies. With nearly 140,000 ballots already cast, the outcome of the primary will determine the Democratic candidate’s ability to challenge Tiffany in November.

Barnes’ campaign, which had previously benefited from the collapse of other candidates in the 2022 Senate race, faced renewed challenges in 2026. His political career includes a narrow 2022 Senate loss to Ron Johnson and a stint as Wisconsin’s first Black lieutenant governor. Critics have also scrutinized his academic credentials and the financial practices of organizations he founded, though these issues did not directly impact his gubernatorial bid.