Democrat Mandela Barnes dropped out of the Wisconsin Governor’s race hours before damaging media reports about him are published.
Meanwhile, Socialist Francesca Hong is surging in the polls.
Earlier Thursday, Politico reported that Mandela Barnes was considering dropping out of the race before damaging articles about him dropped:
The announcement comes as Democratic officials in the state brace for damaging media reports about Barnes, which are expected to hit in the coming hours. Barnes and his team had been on calls Thursday discussing whether to drop out, POLITICO reported earlier.
Barnes’ campaign spokesperson Darby O’Connor said in a statement that “there are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.”
The primary had become increasingly messy as more moderate leaning Democrats have tried to stave off Hong’s rise, worried the democratic socialist’s victory could boost Tiffany. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement of David Crowley — who reentered the race in the final stretch after current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s campaign imploded — further complicated the moderate coalition.
Democrats, including some close to Barnes, are hoping the last minute drop will allow voters to coalesce around Crowley, who is set to hit the campaign trail with Evers next week in the final stretch, according to four people with direct knowledge of the matter. Evers is also slated to appear at several fundraisers for Crowley in the coming days, including one in Madison on Thursday and a Friday event in Milwaukee.
Shortly after Politico published its article warning about the damaging media reports, Barnes announced he is dropping out of the governor’s race.
“Last night I had a very difficult conversation with staff,” Barnes said in a video posted to X on Thursday afternoon.
“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,” he said.
WATCH:
Thank you, Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/FKDjCaPdJZ
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) July 30, 2026
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