Mandela Barnes, who served as Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor, announced his exit from the Democratic primary contest for governor on Thursday through a video posted on social media. Barnes stated that the nomination outcome had become clear, particularly given the substantial lead established by democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong in recent polling.
A Marquette Law School poll released prior to the withdrawal showed Hong commanding 38% support compared to Barnes’s 16%, with approximately one-third of primary voters still undecided at the time of the survey. Hong has consolidated backing among liberal voters and younger demographics, according to the polling data.
Shortly after Barnes’s announcement, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported it had directed inquiries to the candidate regarding past allegations of inappropriate behavior. According to the reporting, the Wisconsin Democratic Party commissioned an external law firm in 2025 to examine claims that had been submitted anonymously, alleging Barnes had leveraged his party position to pursue inappropriate relationships with young adult women. The party’s investigation and outside review concluded there was insufficient actionable evidence given the anonymous and nonspecific nature of the claims. Barnes’s campaign issued a statement denying any misconduct.
Barnes’s departure marks the third Democratic candidate to withdraw from the gubernatorial race. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez exited two weeks earlier following a campaign finance scandal, after which Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entered with endorsement from Governor Tony Evers. Economic development official Missy Hughes had also ended her campaign earlier in the summer. A judge rejected an effort to allow voters to revote on absentee ballots cast for withdrawn candidates.
The Democratic nominee is anticipated to face Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Tiffany in the general election. Barnes previously gained prominence in Democratic circles before narrowly losing a 2022 Senate race to Republican Ron Johnson.
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