Mandela Barnes Exits Wisconsin Governor Race, Hong Gains Momentum

WHO:

CNN - Mandela Barnes, former Wisconsin Lt. Gov.

CNN - Francesca Hong, democratic socialist lawmaker

CNN - David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive

CNN - Tom Tiffany, Republican US Rep.

WHAT:

AP - Mandela Barnes dropped out of the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor amid news that the state party had reviewed past allegations of inappropriate behavior against him.

AP - The Wisconsin Democratic Party received anonymous letters in 2024 and 2025 making allegations against Barnes, prompting a review that found nothing actionable.

AP - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that it had asked Barnes about the allegations of inappropriate behavior just before his announcement.

AP - The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 11.

AP - Nearly 128,000 voters have already returned absentee ballots, and in-person early voting has begun.

AP - U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is expected to be the Republican nominee, stated, “This election is not about red versus blue. It is about whether Wisconsin stays Wisconsin.”

CNN - Barnes stated in his video announcement, “We have to do everything to beat Tom Tiffany. This is life or death for Wisconsinites.”

CNN - Barnes described his conversation with his staff as “very difficult.”

CNN - Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez also ended her campaign earlier this month, making her the first major candidate to drop out of the race.

NBC News - Francesca Hong stated she is "undecided" on seeking an endorsement from Mandela Barnes after he suspended his campaign.

Fox News - A Marquette Law School poll showed Hong at 38% among Democratic primary voters, with Barnes at 16% and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley at 7%. The poll had a margin of error of 6.6 percentage points.

Fox News - Francesca Hong is currently leading in a Marquette Law School poll with 38% among Democratic primary voters, an increase from 26% one week earlier.

Fox News - David Crowley is now the chief rival to Francesca Hong for the Democratic nomination, following Mandela Barnes' exit from the race.

Fox News - The Republican Governors Association has spent nearly $3.6 million on ads targeting Hong, labeling her as dangerously liberal.

CNN - Mandela Barnes dropped his bid for governor.

CNN - Barnes called on Democrats to rally to defeat Tom Tiffany.

CNN - Barnes stated, “Now, it’s our time to come together, to focus our efforts” on defeating Tiffany.

CNN - Barnes described the need to beat Tiffany as “life or death for Wisconsinites.”

CNN - Barnes is the second major candidate to drop out of the race within two weeks.

WHERE:

CNN - Wisconsin

WHEN:

CNN - Barnes dropped out of the race on Thursday.

CNN - The Democratic primary is less than two weeks away.

WHY:

Fox News - Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki commented that Republicans are attempting to choose an opponent they believe they can defeat in the general election.

CNN - Barnes indicated it was “very clear who our nominee is going to be,” referring to Francesca Hong.

HOW:

CNN - Barnes made his announcement via a video posted to social media.

Fox News - Hong's campaign communications director, Allison Geyer, explained that while Hong's underlying values on police and prison abolition have not changed, the way she discusses the issue has evolved.

Fox News - Hong's campaign communications director stated that while her underlying values on police and prison abolition have not changed, the way she discusses the issue has evolved.

CNN - Barnes made the announcement via a video posted to social media.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 01:30 UTC)

Mandela Barnes has dropped out of the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor following a review by the state party of past allegations of inappropriate behavior against him, although the review found nothing actionable. The Democratic primary is set for August 11, and nearly 128,000 voters have already returned absentee ballots, with in-person early voting now underway. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is anticipated to be the Republican nominee, emphasized that this election is not about red versus blue, but rather about the identity of Wisconsin itself.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 00:20 UTC)

In a video announcement posted to social media, Barnes emphasized the urgency of his campaign, stating, “We have to do everything to beat Tom Tiffany. This is life or death for Wisconsinites.” He also described his conversation with his staff as “very difficult,” reflecting the challenges he faces. Additionally, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez recently ended her campaign, becoming the first major candidate to drop out of the race.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:24 UTC)

Francesca Hong has stated she is "undecided" on seeking an endorsement from Mandela Barnes, who recently suspended his campaign. A Marquette Law School poll shows Hong leading among Democratic primary voters with thirty-eight percent, while Barnes has sixteen percent and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley trails at seven percent, though the poll carries a margin of error of six point six percentage points. Hong's campaign communications director, Allison Geyer, noted that while Hong's core values on police and prison abolition remain unchanged, her approach to discussing these issues has evolved.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 21:22 UTC)

Francesca Hong is currently leading in a Marquette Law School poll with 38% among Democratic primary voters, a significant jump from 26% just a week ago, while David Crowley has emerged as her chief rival following Mandela Barnes' exit from the race. The Republican Governors Association has invested nearly $3.6 million in ads targeting Hong, branding her as dangerously liberal, as part of their strategy to select an opponent they believe they can defeat in the general election. Meanwhile, Hong's campaign communications director noted that although her core values regarding police and prison abolition remain unchanged, her approach to discussing these issues has evolved.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 20:27 UTC)

Mandela Barnes has officially dropped his bid for governor in Wisconsin, calling on Democrats to unite against Republican Tom Tiffany, whom he described as a critical opponent in a fight that is “life or death for Wisconsinites.” In a video announcement posted to social media, Barnes emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Now, it’s our time to come together, to focus our efforts” on defeating Tiffany. This decision comes less than two weeks before the Democratic primary and marks the second major candidate to exit the race during this period, with Barnes suggesting that Francesca Hong is likely to be the party's nominee.