Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
7dBarnes is now the front-runner for the Wisconsin Democratic governor nomination, with 43% and a 9-point lead.
43%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$273.6K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Lieutenant Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age39 years old (Dec 1, 1986)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitician
EducationJohn Marshall High School (Milwaukee) (graduated 2003)
Notable personal detailsJ. Mandela Barnes is an American politician who served as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. He previously represented Wisconsin’s 11th Assembly District from 2013 to 2017. Barnes was born and raised in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee Public Schools, graduating from John Marshall High School in 2003. He attended Alabama A&M University and later earned a B.A. in communications media specializing in performance.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgevers.wi.govmandelabarnes.comapnews.comwisconsinacademy.orghistorica.fandom.comblackpast.orgforbes.comaxios.comwashingtonpost.comtime.comwisconsinexaminer.comwpr.orgnbc26.comfortune.comessence.compolitifact.comwispolitics.comwisn.comwisconsinwatch.orglcv.orgclimatechange.wi.govcontent.govdelivery.comgiffords.orgurbanmilwaukee.compeoplesaction.orgcitizenactionwi.orgwisbusiness.comwbay.comwisconsinrightnow.comabcnews.go.comsfchronicle.comcbsnews.comfoxnews.comlatimes.comseattletimes.comwikidata.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgsubstack.govtrack.usvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orges.wikipedia.orgcongress.govfec.govballotready.orgnga.orgcruz.senate.govcornyn.senate.govoversightdemocrats.house.govcommerce.senate.gov
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.
Show moreShow less
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 Insights
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
14dMandela Barnes is at 53% in "Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?" after falling 8.0 points over the last 3 days.
53%8%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
19dBarnes’s nomination price ticked up from 56% to 58% over the last hour while new public coverage still puts him at the center of a crowded Wisconsin Democratic primary. That keeps him the clear front-runner, but the move is modest enough to matter mainly as a confirmation of strength rather than a fresh rerating.
58%2%
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Mandela Barnes is in the news as a Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor in a crowded primary ahead of the August 11 vote. He has been campaigning on cost-of-living issues, including a proposal to ban companies from using AI to raise prices or limit services. Barnes also criticized a Republican rival’s suggestion that some Jan. 6 defendants could receive restitution, calling it a bad idea.
en.wikipedia.org+53
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 days ago
7 Democrats running for governor to square off in televised debate
Neutral
WWEAU8 days ago
Gubernatorial Candidate Mandela Barnes visited Chippewa County ahead of President Trump
Neutral
FNFox News18 days ago
Dem socialist running for Wisconsin governor pushed 'abolishing the police'
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette23 days ago
Mandela Barnes proposes blocking use of AI to boost consumer prices
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
18.9%
11.0%
9.0%
7.5%
6.0%
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements