Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
20.4%
20.4%
10.2%
7.5%
7.5%
Democrat
Mandela Barnes
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$2.2M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
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.commilwaukeecourier.compolitico.comaxios.comcaptimes.comnytimes.comdailycardinal.comsemafor.comvox.compbs.orgnbcnews.comjsonline.compro.stateaffairs.comyoutube.cominstagram.comwikidata.orggovinfo.govhistory.house.govnga.orgballotready.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govncsl.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orges.wikipedia.org
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 23, 2026
Mandela Barnes is in the news as a leading candidate in the crowded Wisconsin Democratic governor primary. Recent fundraising reports showed he raised the most money among Democrats, and new polling has him ahead of Tom Tiffany in head-to-head testing, though many voters are still undecided. He has also been promoting policy ideas, including a proposal to ban companies from using AI to raise prices or limit services. The primary is set for August 11, with the field still shifting after other candidates changed course.
en.wikipedia.org+59
Articles
FNFox News2 months ago
Dem socialist running for Wisconsin governor pushed 'abolishing the police'
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 months ago
Mandela Barnes proposes blocking use of AI to boost consumer prices
Neutral
WWEAU10 days ago
Wisconsin governor’s race fundraising: Where candidates stand
Positive
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette1 month ago
Mandela Barnes downplays low straw poll finish in Democratic race
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
NRDC Action Fund
Political organization
NRDC Action Fund endorsed Mandela Barnes in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2022Total 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