(The Center Square) – Mandela Barnes, former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, is the latest Democrat to drop out of the race on Thursday.
“Last night I had a very difficult conversation with my staff,” Barnes said in a social media video. “Now we’re incredibly proud of all that we have 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 was referring to a pair of polls including a Marquette Poll that showed the lead in the race is widening for state Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison. Hong held 38% support from Democratic primary voters in the newest Marquette poll, ahead of 16% for Barnes, 7% for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and 2% each for former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan and state Sen. Kelda Roys.
Crowley recently reentered the race with Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out following campaign finance issues.
“To everyone who backed Mandela: there’s a place for you in what we’re building,” Crowley wrote in response. “It’s going to take all of us to beat Tom Tiffany. Let’s get to work.”
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel said Thursday it was preparing to publish accusations against Barnes.
“Mandela Barnes leaves the guv race after receiving questions from the Journal Sentinel about allegations from sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity who said Barnes used his role in the party to seek out sexual encounters with young adult women,” MJ-S reporter Molly Beck wrote on social media. “Barnes has not been accused of any crimes.
“The state Democratic Party in 2025 hired a law firm to look into similar claims. The internal review and outside probe found nothing actionable because the allegations they received were anonymous and unspecific, according to a source familiar with the party’s actions.”
