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Mandela Barnes withdraws from Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary as Francesca Hong takes the lead

Mandela Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, announced his withdrawal from the Democratic primary for governor on Thursday. The decision comes less than two weeks before the August 11 election, as democratic socialist Francesca Hong has surged ahead with a commanding lead in recent polling. Barnes stated that it became clear who the nominee would be, acknowledging Hong's strong support among liberal and young voters. The withdrawal follows a period of scrutiny for Barnes, during which the Wisconsin Democratic Party hired a law firm in 2025 to investigate anonymous allegations of inappropriate behavior involving young adult women. The party's review found no actionable evidence of misconduct. Barnes's exit adds to a series of recent shifts in the primary, including the withdrawal of Sara Rodriguez and the entry of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Crowley, who has the endorsement of Governor Tony Evers, is seeking to capture Barnes's former supporters. The winner of the primary will face Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who is backed by President Trump.

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