Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
20.0%
22.2%
8.1%
Democrat
Mandela Barnes
Democratic candidate for Governor in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Democratic Governor primary: 2nd place
$139.0K
AUG 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Mandela Barnes is trading at 1% to win the Wisconsin Democratic Governor primary: 2nd place on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer Lieutenant Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age39 years old (Dec 1, 1986)
GenderMale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitician
EducationAlabama A&M University — B.A., communications media (performance specialization) (completed 2020)
Notable personal detailsJ. Mandela Barnes is an American politician who served as the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin (2019–2023) and previously represented Wisconsin's 11th Assembly district (2013–2017). He was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2022. Barnes has attended Alabama A&M University and later completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications media (performance specialization). In 2025, he announced a run for governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgfec.govmandelabarnes.comlinkedin.comefilingapps.fec.govefoservices.fec.govdocquery.fec.govwebforms.fec.goveqs.fec.govapi.fecfile.fec.govpublicapi.devispolitical.compropublica.github.iocapitolhillaccess.compostman.comreddit.comwisn.comwisconsinexaminer.comwispolitics.compolitifact.comwpr.orgwisconsinwatch.orglcv.orgclimatechange.wi.govcontent.govdelivery.comgiffords.orgurbanmilwaukee.comwashingtonpost.compeoplesaction.orgcitizenactionwi.orgwisbusiness.comwbay.comwisconsinrightnow.comfox6now.commilwaukeecourier.compro.stateaffairs.cominstagram.comnbcnews.compbs.orgcaptimes.compbswisconsin.orgjsonline.comgoogle.comwikidata.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgclerk.house.govvotesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports closing tax loopholes for the ultra‑rich and raising taxes on corporations and the wealthiest while cutting taxes for working‑ and middle‑class households; proposes reforming specific state tax credits (e.g., agriculture/manufacturing) to benefit local small businesses and family farmers. Advocates using increased revenue to expand programs such as BadgerCare and invest in education, jobs, and housing affordability.
Healthcare
Mandela Barnes has expressed support for Medicare for All and also backs incremental expansions such as lowering the Medicare eligibility age and expanding Medicaid/BadgerCare access, while proposing targeted initiatives like Black maternal-health policy and full Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports federal protections for abortion access (has called for codifying Roe v. Wade) and has received endorsements from reproductive-rights organizations; expresses that abortion decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor while rejecting extreme bans.
Climate & Energy
Supports Green New Deal–style policies and a transition to 100% renewable/clean energy, has chaired a statewide task force that produced 55 policy recommendations to reduce emissions, expand renewables, and prioritize environmental justice and clean-energy jobs.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports universal background checks, red-flag (extreme risk protection) laws, bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and other significant firearm restrictions as part of a broader gun violence prevention agenda.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 31, 2026
Mandela Barnes has dropped out of the Wisconsin Democratic governor’s race, narrowing the field just before the Aug. 11 primary. He said it was clear who the party’s nominee would be, and the move came as Francesca Hong was leading recent polling and David Crowley remained in the race. Barnes had previously been one of the Democratic frontrunners and had also rolled out policy proposals, including a plan to ban AI-driven price increases.
en.wikipedia.org+50
Articles
TGThe Gateway Pundit25 days ago
Democrat Mandela Barnes Drops Out of Wisconsin Governor’s Race Hours Before Damaging Articles About Him Drop
Negative
CNCable News Network25 days ago
Mandela Barnes drops out of Wisconsin governor’s race
Neutral
PTPittsburgh Tribune-Review26 days ago
Mandela Barnes drops out of the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor
Neutral
FNFox News3 months ago
Dem socialist running for Wisconsin governor pushed 'abolishing the police'
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Mandela Barnes currently averages 20.0%, ranking second in this race, 2.3 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 20.0%Position: secondMargin: -2.3 ptsLatest poll: 14.0% (Jul 23 - 26)Polls included: 14
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 23 - 26.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
12Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2022Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$42.3M
$31.8M
$21.2M
$10.6M
$0
2022
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$42.3M
$565.7K
$41.8M
$1.7M
Source: FEC