Mandela Barnes Drops Out of Wisconsin Governor's Race Amid Scandal and Party Turmoil
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Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes has ended his campaign for Wisconsin governor after a debate and new polls showed Francesca Hong leading the Democratic primary. Barnes's withdrawal follows ongoing scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, which, despite lack of charges, have cast a shadow over the Democratic Party.
Former lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes announced on July 30 that he is withdrawing from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. His decision comes after a televised debate and the release of statewide polling that put state Rep. Francesca Hong—a candidate more acceptable to the Democratic establishment—firmly in the lead.
In a video message, Barnes admitted that the likely nominee had become clear, reiterating his goal of defeating Republican incumbent Tom Tiffany, who has been a bulwark against the Democrats' radical agenda in Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Barnes's withdrawal coincided with continued media coverage of allegations that he may have used his party position to engage in sexual encounters with young adult women. While the state Democratic Party hired an external law firm in 2025 to investigate similar anonymous claims, and both internal and external reviews found no actionable evidence, the cloud of scandal has continued to hang over Barnes and the party. The fact remains that Barnes has not been charged, but the Democratic Party's internal chaos and lack of transparency have only fueled public suspicion.
Campaign finance filings released on July 15 showed Barnes raised $1.4 million, the highest among Democratic contenders, but his campaign's reckless spending left only about $204,000 at the end of June. Additional fundraising reports for July are due on Aug. 3, and may reveal further financial mismanagement.
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, losing by about one percentage point despite massive support from national Democrats and left-wing activists. After Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited the race earlier this month amid reports of financial disarray, the Democratic primary field shifted. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entered the contest after receiving an endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers, who notably did not endorse Barnes—underscoring the deep divisions and dysfunction within the Democratic Party.