Mandela Barnes withdraws from Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary

Former Wisconsin lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes announced Thursday that he is withdrawing from the Democratic race for governor less than two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary. In a video posted to X, Barnes said the campaign had raised significant resources but “it’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be,” referring to state Rep. Francesca Hong, who has surged ahead in recent polls.

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed Hong leading Democratic primary voters with 38% support, followed by Barnes at 16% and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley at 7%, while 34% remained undecided. Barnes’ exit may shift support toward Crowley, who re-entered the race after former front-runner Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez withdrew amid campaign-finance reporting issues.

Crowley addressed Barnes’ supporters on X, stating, “To everyone who backed Mandela: there’s a place for you in what we’re building.” A Democratic operative said Barnes’ departure “opens a huge door for David Crowley.”

Hong, a former restaurant owner and single mother who has served in the state Assembly since 2021, declined to comment on seeking Barnes’ endorsement, saying she was “undecided.” She emphasized a focus on universal childcare, healthcare, and a ban on new data centers, while distancing herself from earlier calls to defund the police and from the national Democratic Socialists of America.

Barnes, 39, was the first Black lieutenant governor in Wisconsin and was the Democratic nominee for the 2022 U.S. Senate race, losing narrowly to Republican Ron Johnson. His withdrawal adds another twist to a volatile primary that also includes Governor Tony Evers’ endorsement of Crowley, a move some observers describe as a late-stage “Hail Mary” effort to consolidate support behind a more moderate candidate.