Schiff-backed candidate abruptly ends gubernatorial campaign amid rumblings of a damaging report

Mandela Barnes, who served as lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023, suspended his gubernatorial campaign Thursday, citing a lack of support to capture the Democratic Party nomination.

“It’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be,” Barnes said in a video statement.

“While I may be suspending my campaign, I’ll never give up my fight for Wisconsin.”

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Barnes, who was endorsed by Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as the “kind of bold leader we need to take on the Trump administration,” did not name the candidate he believes will capture the party’s nomination later this month.

His departure from the race comes as a surprise amid a crowded Democratic field to fill the empty seat of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Barnes was considered a frontrunner in the race because of his proximity to Evers and his name recognition. 

It also coincides with rumblings that Barnes may have abused his position in the past to make sexual advances toward women in the workplace, an allegation currently under investigation by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which published its report shortly after Barnes’ video post.

Barnes’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether his decision to suspend the campaign was in any way connected to the reporting. However, a Barnes spokesperson told Politico “there are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.”

With Barnes’ departure, the remaining major candidates include Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

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Hong has received backing from a number of nationally recognized progressives, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. She had raised nearly $709,000 as of late June, according to state records.

By comparison, Crowley has secured $250,000 and enjoys the support of a number of local organizations and figures.

Evers, pointedly, endorsed Crowley over Barnes, citing Crowley’s experience.

In his departure video, Barnes urged Democrats to unite against Republicans in the November general election.

“Now, I 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,” Barnes said, referring to the presumptive Republican nominee.

“Now it’s our time to come together and focus our efforts on that one goal. We have to do everything to beat Tom Tiffany. This is life or death for Wisconsinites who are losing their healthcare under a Trump administration.”

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Barnes built his campaign on a platform of increasing taxes on the country’s top earners, freezing energy costs, providing universal childcare and lowering the cost of housing.

The gubernatorial primary will take place Aug. 11.