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Mandela Barnes drops out of Democratic primary race for Wisconsin governor
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- Mandela Barnes has withdrawn from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor less than two weeks before the August 11 election, citing that the nominee is becoming clear.
- Barnes' exit follows a Marquette Law School poll showing democratic socialist Francesca Hong leading the race, with about one-third of voters still undecided.
- This marks the third Democratic candidate to drop out, after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Missy Hughes, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley rejoining the race backed by Gov. Tony Evers.
- Early voting is underway with nearly 128,000 absentee ballots returned, and a judge recently ruled that voters cannot cancel their absentee ballots to vote again in the primary.
- Gov. Evers expressed surprise at Barnes' decision but reaffirmed his endorsement of Crowley, describing him as the best candidate even if Barnes had stayed in the race.
