The Democratic primary field for governor is changing again.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who stood in second place behind frontrunner Francesca Hong in the latest Marquette poll, announced he was dropping out of the race July 30, less than two weeks before the election.
“It’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be,” Barnes said in a social media video. “Now I’ve said from the very beginning, when I launched this campaign, that the No. 1 goal was taking on and defeating Tom Tiffany to deliver big wins for Democrats up and down the ticket.”
The decision by Barnes came amid reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel into allegations that Barnes was taking advantage of his role in the party to have sexual encounters with young adult women.
The party’s internal review and outside probe found nothing actionable, according to a source familiar with the party’s response. Barnes has not been accused of any crimes.
Before he ran for governor, Barnes was lieutenant governor during Gov. Tony Evers’ first term, ran for U.S. Senate against Sen. Ron Johnson in 2022 and served in the state Legislature.
Here’s a look at his political and personal background:
What is Mandela Barnes’ political experience?
Barnes was first elected to political office in 2012 and served two terms in the state Assembly. He ran for state Senate in 2016, challenging former state Sen. Lena Taylor, but lost in the Democratic primary. Barnes then worked at a progressive public policy organization.
In 2018, he was elected alongside Evers and became Wisconsin’s first Black lieutenant governor, and only the second Black candidate to win statewide office. Barnes made climate change his signature issue.
Barnes became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022 and narrowly lost to Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson by about one percentage point, or about 26,000 votes. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who also ran for governor and dropped out, replaced him in the office.
In 2023, Barnes became president of Power to the Polls Wisconsin, a voter turnout organization. He also founded clean energy group Forward Together Wisconsin and The Long Run PAC – which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found spent less than 15% of its funds on candidates.
What did Mandela Barnes do before politics?
Barnes worked as a field organizer during former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. He returned to Milwaukee to work in former Mayor Tom Barrett’s office and later as a community organizer with Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied with Hope (MICAH).
How old is Mandela Barnes?
Barnes is 39.
Is Mandela Barnes married?
Barnes is not married and has no children. He often cites his parents’ union background — his mother was a Milwaukee Public Schools physical education teacher and his father was a United Auto Workers member.
Where did Mandela Barnes go to college?
Barnes has a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University. He received criticism for implying he graduated in 2008, despite not receiving his diploma, which he attained in 2020.
Where is Mandela Barnes from?
Barnes grew up in Milwaukee and attended John Marshall High School.
Who’s left in the Wisconsin governor’s race?
Three candidates have dropped out – Barnes, Sara Rodriguez and Missy Hughes – though their names still appear on the Aug. 11 ballot.
The candidates still in the race include state Rep. Francesca Hong, who has expanded her lead in the polls, followed by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys and former Evers Cabinet secretary Joel Brennan.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is all but certain to win. His only challenger is Andy Manske, a medical services technician.
Early voting is underway through Aug. 9. Polls will be open on Election Day, Aug. 11, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Democrat and Republican who get the most votes Aug. 11 advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Mandela Barnes? Democrat drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
