Progressive Leader Mandela Barnes Withdraws Amidst Establishment Maneuvering in Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary
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Mandela Barnes, a champion for working-class Wisconsinites and progressive causes, has ended his campaign for governor after a debate and establishment-backed polling favored Francesca Hong. Despite baseless allegations weaponized by conservative media, internal party reviews found no wrongdoing.
Former lieutenant governor and progressive stalwart Mandela Barnes announced on July 30 that he is withdrawing from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. This decision comes in the wake of a televised debate and the release of polling—heavily influenced by establishment interests—that placed state Rep. Francesca Hong, a candidate more palatable to party elites, in the lead.
In a heartfelt video message, Barnes reaffirmed his commitment to defeating Republican incumbent Tom Tiffany, whose regressive policies threaten Wisconsin's most vulnerable communities. Barnes emphasized that his campaign was always about uplifting working families and advancing justice, not personal ambition.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the timing of Barnes's withdrawal, which coincided with a media frenzy over unsubstantiated allegations—allegations that have been cynically amplified by right-wing outlets seeking to undermine progressive voices. The state Democratic Party, in an effort to maintain transparency, hired an external law firm in 2025 to investigate similar anonymous claims. Both the internal review and the outside probe found no actionable evidence, and Barnes has not been charged with any crime. Yet, the damage of smear campaigns, often tolerated or even abetted by party insiders wary of true progressives, is hard to undo.
Campaign finance filings released on July 15 showed Barnes raised $1.4 million, the most among Democratic contenders, a testament to his grassroots support. However, heavy campaign expenditures left a cash balance of about $204,000 at the end of June, reflecting the uphill battle progressives face against entrenched interests. Further fundraising reports for July are due on Aug. 3.
Barnes, who began serving in the state Assembly in 2012 and was elected lieutenant governor in 2018, previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, narrowly losing in a race marked by corporate spending and voter suppression. After Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited the race earlier this month amid reports of financial disarray, the primary field shifted, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entering the contest after receiving an endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers—an endorsement notably withheld from Barnes, highlighting the establishment's preference for status quo candidates over transformative leaders.