Barnes Quits Wisconsin Race
Mandela Barnes Ends Wisconsin Governor Bid, Shakes Democratic Field as 140,000 Ballots Already Count
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Key Points
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By July 30, turnout was already high: nearly 140,000 ballots submitted, 46% of requested absentee ballots returned, and more than 10,500 people voting in-person absentee.
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Barnes faced allegations of misconduct stemming from a 2025 Wisconsin Democratic Party investigation, with claims that he had sexual contact with young women.
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Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway ruled that absentee ballots cast for Barnes or other dropped-out candidates would remain counted, rejecting a bid to void them; about 117,000 absentee ballots had been returned by July 29.
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Gov. Tony Evers endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out, and Crowley rejoined the race.
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The 2022 U.S. Senate race context is cited, noting Barnes benefited from rivals dropping out to clear the field and help him in that cycle.
Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes dropped out of the governor's race on July 30 — with nearly 140,000 ballots already cast, according to Post Crescent. Barnes called on Democrats to unite and defeat Republican Tom Tiffany, but did not endorse any of the remaining candidates.
A Dane County judge ruled that ballots already submitted for Barnes or other withdrawn candidates would still count. The exit shakes up a Democratic field that had already lost Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Missy Hughes, according to Green Bay Press Gazette.
Ballots Already Flying Before Barnes Quit
By July 30, Wisconsin voters had returned about 140,000 absentee ballots — 46% of all requested. More than 10,500 people had voted in person before Barnes even made his announcement, according to Marshfield News Herald. By July 29 alone, roughly 117,000 absentee ballots had already come in.
Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway rejected a bid to void those early votes. His ruling means ballots cast for Barnes or any other dropped-out candidate will remain counted, even though those candidates are no longer in the race, Post Crescent reported.
Misconduct Allegations Doomed Barnes' Candidacy
Barnes entered the race as a well-known name — he ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and benefited then from rivals clearing the field for him. But a 2025 Wisconsin Democratic Party investigation changed everything. The probe included claims that Barnes had sexual contact with young women, according to Fox 47.
The fallout hit his poll numbers hard. Only 16% of Democratic primary voters said they would back Barnes, compared to 38% for Rep. Francesca Hong, Fox 47 reported. With those numbers and the misconduct cloud, Barnes said stepping aside was the right call.
Crowley Jumps Back In After Rodriguez Exits
The Democratic field has seen a rush of exits and re-entries. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out, which triggered Gov. Tony Evers to endorse Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Crowley then rejoined the race, according to WGLR. Evers had stayed quiet until Rodriguez's departure opened a lane.
Polls now show Rep. Francesca Hong leading the pack. Barnes framed the contest as a fight over healthcare and economic issues in Wisconsin. He called Tiffany, a Trump ally who received the president's endorsement, the main threat Democrats must focus on defeating.
August 11 Primary Looms With a Scrambled Field
The August 11 primary is now just days away. With ballots already flooding in and a court blocking any do-overs, the Democratic nominee will be decided under chaotic conditions. Voters who backed Barnes or other dropped candidates cannot take their ballots back, Green Bay Press Gazette reported.
Barnes urged supporters not to stay home. "It's time to unify," he said in a social media video, calling on Democrats to rally behind whoever wins. The eventual nominee will face Tiffany, who has already locked up the Republican endorsement heading into November.
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