Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes suspended his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor Thursday afternoon, acknowledging the race has effectively been decided less than two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary.
In a video posted to X, Barnes stated that he had “a very difficult conversation with my staff” on Wednesday night. He added, “We’re incredibly proud of all the things that we’ve accomplished and all the resources that we have raised to spread our message, but it’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be.”
Barnes did not mention state Rep. Francesca Hong, the socialist who has dominated recent polling, and stopped short of an endorsement. Earlier Thursday, WTMJ’s John Mercure reported that sources indicated Barnes was preparing to withdraw and considering endorsing Hong, while his campaign anticipated potentially damaging news reports regarding his personal life. Politico reported Thursday that Barnes and his team were considering ending the campaign in light of these anticipated stories. Additionally, separate campaign finance complaints were filed against Barnes’ campaign and an affiliated PAC days earlier, alleging violations of state law related to polling and contributions.
The latest Marquette University Law School Poll, released Wednesday, showed Hong leading the Democratic primary with 38% support among likely primary voters, followed by Barnes at 16% and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley at 7%. When leaners were included, Hong’s support rose to 46%.
“Now while I may be suspending this campaign, I’ll never give up my fight for Wisconsin,” Barnes added, saying he would work to defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.
Barnes, who served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Tony Evers from 2019 to 2023, entered the race last December as the best-known Democrat following his narrow 2022 U.S. Senate loss to Sen. Ron Johnson. That loss, by approximately 27,000 votes, led many Wisconsin Democrats to question his ability to win statewide, concerns that increased as Hong’s campaign gained support among younger voters and progressive activists.
The Democratic primary has been marked by chaos. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez suspended her campaign earlier this month due to campaign finance questions. Crowley briefly withdrew before re-entering the race with a late endorsement from Evers, an effort by party establishment figures to block Hong that appears to have been unsuccessful.
Barnes’ withdrawal positions Hong as the inevitable nominee. Remaining candidates include Crowley, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, and state Sen. Kelda Roys. Early voting is underway, with more than 95,000 absentee ballots already cast statewide before the debate and recent candidate withdrawals.
For Republicans, Barnes’ departure removes the one remaining nominee with significant statewide name ID. Hong has embraced socialist positions, including past comments on abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding police that drew scrutiny during this week’s only televised debate. Marquette polling has shown the “Democratic Socialist” label underwater by 30 points with Wisconsin voters overall.
Barnes’ decision not to endorse Hong by name, even after conceding the nomination was settled and despite reports he was considering it, highlights divisions within the Democratic Party. Party leaders spent months attempting to prevent Hong’s nomination, but she is now the prohibitive favorite to face Tiffany in November.
