Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes suspended his campaign for Wisconsin governor on July 30, 12 days before the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. His decision came a day after a judge ruled that voters who have already returned absentee ballots cannot take them back, affecting over 117,000 ballots cast. Barnes cited the clear frontrunner status of state Rep. Francesca Hong, who leads in polls with 38% support, compared to his 16%. He emphasized the importance of uniting against the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany, and pledged to continue working against Tiffany until the November election.
Barnes is the second Democrat to exit the race this month, following Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s withdrawal due to campaign finance issues. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who briefly left the race, re-entered with Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement. Evers expressed surprise at Barnes’ decision but reaffirmed his support for Crowley, calling him the best candidate even if Barnes remained in the race. Hong, a democratic socialist, did not immediately comment on Barnes’ departure.
The Democratic primary has seen significant volatility, with three candidates withdrawing in recent weeks. Barnes’ exit leaves Hong as the clear frontrunner, though Crowley and other candidates may gain traction among voters seeking an alternative to Hong’s progressive platform. Barnes’ campaign raised substantial resources and focused on issues like healthcare access and childcare costs, framing the election as a fight against a 'rigged system.'