Former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes Ends Historic Bid To Become Wisconsin’s First Black Governor Amid Sexual Encounter Controversy, Low Polls: What To Know

MADISON, Wis. — In a stunning development that has upended the state’s political landscape, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes abruptly withdrew from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor on Thursday.

His sudden departure comes less than two weeks before the August 11 primary election. The decision effectively halts a campaign which may have led to him making Black History by becoming Wisconsin’s first African-American governor. It also leaves a highly volatile field to battle for the seat of retiring Governor Tony Evers.

Barnes’s withdrawal from a race he was once seen as shoe-in to win represents a stunning series of setbacks that began when Barnes was passed over for an endorsement by Evers, the governor he served alongside as his running mate after their ticket won and assumed their positions in January 2019.

The Shadow of Rumored Allegations

While Barnes officially attributed his exit to an unviable path to the nomination, his decision coincided with breaking media reports regarding his personal conduct. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed it had been investigating allegations that Barnes used his influential position within the Democratic Party to pursue sexual relationships with young adult women.

According to party sources, the Wisconsin Democratic Party received an anonymous letter regarding these claims and privately hired an outside law firm to investigate in 2025. Because the initial allegations were anonymous and lacked specific details, the independent probe ultimately found nothing actionable.

Barnes has not been accused of any crimes or legal wrongdoing. His campaign manager, Darby O’Connor, issued a firm statement defending the former candidate, stating, “There are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.” However, insiders note that impending media inquiries about the 2025 review heavily pressured the campaign.

What Have The Women He Allegedly Encountered Said?

While previous official party statements emphasized that early anonymous letters lacked specifics, sources with firsthand knowledge have now come forward to detail specific encounters to the media.

Reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 30, 2026, revealed that three separate sources—including one woman who had a sexual relationship with Barnes—provided text messages dating back to 2017 to corroborate their concerns.

These sources detailed several concerns:

• The 2018 Convention Incident: A woman alleged she had a sexual encounter with Barnes following heavy drinking at the 2018 state Democratic convention, with a second source confirming her intoxication and contemporaneous account of the event.
• Concerns Over Consent: The woman stated that, due to her intoxication, she could not have been “of sound mind for an enthusiastic yes,” later characterizing Barnes’ actions as “reckless” and exploiting her naivety.
• Power Dynamics: Sources described viewing the then-single Barnes as a rising “inspirational and aspirational” party figure, which influenced the woman’s initial excitement about the relationship.
• No Accusations of Criminality: Sources explicitly stated that none of the allegations involve claims of illegal abuse or force.

Has Barnes Been Accused Of Committing A Crime, Or Is He Under Investigation?

No, Barnes has not been accused of committing a crime against any women. There has also been no official law enforcement announcement implicating Barnes in a criminal investigation related to this controversy.

• No Allegations of Criminality: The sources who spoke to media outlets about their personal encounters with Barnes explicitly stated that none of the allegations involve claims of illegal abuse or force.
• No Lawsuits or Official Complaints: There are no active criminal investigations, police reports, or lawsuits filed against him regarding these personal conduct matters.
• Independent Review Findings: The outside law firm hired by the Wisconsin Democratic Party closed its review after finding nothing actionable.

Barnes’ Personal Response

Addressing these accounts, Barnes stated on July 30 that while he has “dated a lot” as a single man and regrets not always acting with more maturity, he has not been accused of any “misconduct or wrongdoing”.

Barnes insisted that he has not engaged in any misconduct or wrongdoing, and that his sudden campaign exit was a strategic political decision rather than the result of legal trouble.

Headwinds in the Polls

Beyond the swirling rumors, Barnes faced steep statistical challenges on the campaign trail. A newly released Marquette Law School poll showed him trailing significantly behind the frontrunner, state Representative Francesca Hong.

Hong, a democratic socialist who has successfully consolidated support among progressive and younger voters, held a commanding 38% to Barnes’ 16%. In his concession video posted to social media, Barnes acknowledged this mathematical reality.

“Last night I had a very difficult conversation with my staff,” Barnes said. “But it’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be.”

A Well-Known Political History In Wisconsin

After serving two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Milwaukee, Barnes ran against incumbent state Senator Lena Taylor in 2016 but lost.

Barnes then focused on grassroots organizing, which led him to join the winning 2018 gubernatorial ticket with Tony Evers. He served a full four-year term as Lieutenant Governor.

In 2022, Barnes ran for the U.S. Senate. In a closely watched race, he narrowly lost to incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson. Barnes used the momentum to launch The Long Run PAC and lead voter-turnout groups like Power to the Polls Wisconsin.

What Comes Next for Barnes and the Primary

Barnes’ immediate future remains focused on party unity rather than personal ambition. He explicitly declined to offer a direct endorsement to Hong in his exit video, but pledged his full support to defeating the presumed Republican nominee, U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, in November.

“Now, we have to do everything we possibly can to defeat Tom Tiffany,” Barnes emphasized. “And that’s what I’m committed to doing for the next 96 days.”

Supporters close to Barnes note that while this race has ended, his overarching goal to shift systemic power and elevate Minority leadership remains intact. Political analysts expect Barnes to step back from the public eye to navigate the fallout of the Journal Sentinel reporting before mapping out future advocacy work or secondary runs for public office.

Meanwhile, the race to replace Governor Evers continues its descent into unprecedented chaos. Barnes is the third major Democrat to exit the primary, following former state economic development director Missy Hughes and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez—the latter of whom dropped out just two weeks ago due to a campaign finance scandal.

The remaining days before August 11 will test the strength of Hong’s progressive movement against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Crowley, who would also make historical strides as a Black chief executive if elected, re-entered the race with Governor Evers’ explicit endorsement, setting up a final, high-stakes showdown for the future of Wisconsin politics.