Former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor on Thursday, less than two weeks before the August 11 election. Barnes announced his decision in a video posted on social media, acknowledging that the path to the nomination was no longer viable as state Representative Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, surged ahead in the polls. The move upends a volatile contest that has already seen multiple candidates exit and re-enter, leaving the Democratic field in flux as voters begin casting ballots.

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Barnes, who previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and lost narrowly to Republican Ron Johnson, announced his withdrawal in a video posted on his Facebook page. He said it had become clear who the nominee would be, a reference to Hong's commanding lead. The decision came a day after the Marquette Law School poll showed Hong with 38% support among Democratic primary voters, with Barnes trailing at 16% and Crowley at 7%. A significant portion of the electorate, 34%, remained undecided.

Barnes's exit is the latest twist in a primary that has been marked by instability. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, seen as a moderate front-runner, ended her campaign earlier this month after inaccuracies were found in her campaign's financial reporting. That prompted Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to re-enter the race, with an endorsement from outgoing Gov. Tony Evers. NBC News also reported on a years-old social media account linked to Crowley that contained incendiary posts about women and race, adding further controversy.

The race has also been complicated by the timing of the primary. Nearly 128,000 voters have already returned absentee ballots, and in-person early voting is underway. On Wednesday, a Dane County Circuit judge rejected a lawsuit supported by the state Democratic Party that sought to allow voters who had already cast absentee ballots to cancel them and vote again. Judge David Conway's ruling means those ballots will stand, even as the candidate field shifts.

Why It Matters

Wisconsin is a critical battleground state, and the outcome of the Democratic primary will shape the general election contest against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who faces only nominal opposition in his primary. Democrats are eager to hold the governor's office, currently occupied by Tony Evers, who is not seeking re-election. Hong's rise, fueled by strong support from the party's liberal wing, particularly among young voters, signals a potential shift in the state's Democratic politics. Her democratic socialist platform could energize progressives but may also pose challenges in a general election where moderate voters often decide the outcome.

Political Context

Barnes's departure is reminiscent of 2022, when he benefited from other candidates dropping out to clear the field for him in the Democratic Senate primary. He ultimately lost to Johnson by fewer than 27,000 votes. This time, the dynamics are different, with Hong consolidating liberal support and Crowley appealing to more moderate Democrats. The race has been further roiled by allegations against Barnes. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that it had sent questions to Barnes about past allegations of inappropriate behavior that were anonymously submitted to the Wisconsin Democratic Party. According to the Journal Sentinel, the party hired a law firm in 2025 to investigate claims that Barnes used his position to pursue relationships with young adult women. The investigation found no actionable evidence because the claims were anonymous and unspecific, the outlet reported.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

Gov. Tony Evers told reporters Thursday that he was surprised by Barnes's decision, according to PBS NewsHour. The state Democratic Party has not issued a formal statement, but its support for the lawsuit to allow ballot recasting suggests concern about the impact of the late changes. Francesca Hong has not yet commented on whether she would seek Barnes's endorsement, as NBC News noted. The Crowley campaign has not responded to requests for comment on how Barnes's exit might affect the race.

Timeline

  • June 2026: Missy Hughes drops out of the Democratic primary.
  • Mid-July 2026: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ends her campaign amid a campaign finance scandal.
  • Days later: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-enters the race with Gov. Evers's endorsement.
  • July 29, 2026: Marquette Law School poll shows Hong leading with 38%.
  • July 30, 2026: Mandela Barnes announces his withdrawal; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reveals it is investigating allegations against him.
  • August 11, 2026: Wisconsin primary election day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Mandela Barnes drop out?

Barnes said he no longer saw a viable path to the nomination, as Francesca Hong had surged ahead in the polls.

Who is Francesca Hong?

She is a state representative and democratic socialist who has gained strong support from the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.

What happens to absentee ballots already cast?

A judge ruled that voters cannot recast their ballots, so those votes will count as cast.

Who is favored to win the primary now?

Francesca Hong leads in the polls, but a large share of voters remain undecided, so the outcome is not certain.

What are the allegations against Barnes?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that it is investigating anonymous claims that Barnes used his party position to pursue relationships with young women. An earlier party investigation found no actionable evidence.

What Happens Next

With Barnes out, the Democratic primary now centers on Hong and Crowley, with the primary election just days away. The winner will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the general election. The race remains fluid, and the large number of undecided voters could still shift the outcome. As voters head to the polls, the Democratic Party must rally behind a nominee quickly to mount a competitive campaign in this key battleground state.