Wisconsin is gearing up for a consequential governor’s race after Tony Evers announced he will not seek reelection, and Democrats are nervy about who they nominate. A crowded primary already includes several statewide figures, and Mandela Barnes—former lieutenant governor and recent Senate candidate—has re-emerged in conversations. Local outlets and national press have publicly questioned whether nominating Barnes would be a wise move, arguing his recent losses raise real doubts about electability. This piece walks through the concerns, the reactions from within the party, and what it could mean for 2026.
The open governor’s seat hands Republicans a clear path to fight for total control of state government, and Democrats know the math is tight. The Democratic primary field features Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Melissa Hughes, and state Senator Kelda Roys, among others. Into that mix comes Mandela Barnes, who left the lieutenant governor’s office to challenge Ron Johnson for the U.S. Senate and came up short.
Some local voices and national outlets are urging caution about a Barnes run, pointing to past performance as evidence the party should consider other options. Those critics include a Black-owned Milwaukee publication and reporting in larger papers that flagged his Senate loss and turnout issues.
He was our Lieutenant Governor. He had every advantage. The primary field cleared for him to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. And still—he lost. By just over 26,000 votes. That alone might be forgivable.
But let’s not forget the part that too many gloss over: he ran 50,000 votes behind Governor Tony Evers in that same election. In Milwaukee County—where Mandela is from—he still ran behind Evers. That’s the hard truth: even here, he couldn’t finish the deal.
Now, we’re hearing that Mandela is preparing to run for Governor in 2026. With Donald Trump back in the White House, rolling back civil rights and gutting everything we care about, we cannot afford a risk. Not now. Not with the stakes this high.
Reporting in prominent outlets reinforced the same worry: the party is uneasy about renominating someone who recently lost a high-profile race. “Mr. Barnes plans to enter the race for governor as well, according to two people who have spoken with him recently. Publicly he has said he is considering joining the race and will announce a decision in the coming weeks.” Through an aide, Mr. Barnes declined to be interviewed.
The apprehension about Mr. Barnes, 38, is less about his age or a connection to a detested party establishment than it is about a desire to avoid renominating a candidate who recently lost. … Dave Cieslewicz, a former Madison mayor, said there were fond feelings in the party for both Mr. Barnes and Ms. Harris, though he said there was little desire to build a new campaign around either of them.
“I was happy to vote for her, but I wouldn’t support her again for the nomination because I don’t think she can win,” Mr. Cieslewicz said. “It’s the same kind of calculation I’m making about this race for governor.” Those are blunt assessments from within the Democratic ecosystem, and they capture the party’s fear that a repeat candidacy could hand advantage to Republicans.
Milwaukee radio host Dan O’Donnell put the criticism in plain terms and suggested internal party dynamics are at play. “Yikes. This is openly saying, ‘Do not run, Mandela,'” O’Donnell said. “My guess is they’re behind David Crowley, who has the most to lose from a Mandela run.”
O’Donnell continued, “Yes, it is just because they are both Black males. That is absolutely how Democrats run their primary. If you are a Black male, you had better be the chosen Black male, or you are not going to be able to play the role of Black male in the Democrat primary.” His take is harsh, but it reflects a candid reading of party mechanics in primaries.
“I honestly don’t know who Democrats are going to coalesce around,” O’Donnell remarked. “It might have to be Sara Rodriguez almost by default. Or it might have to be David Crowley almost by default.” The party’s rank and file clearly wants Man-deadbeat Barnes. And I just don’t see that really changing.
“Polls this early in an election cycle almost always favor the last known candidate because there’s just no name ID among any of these,” O’Donnell added, which would give Barnes an early boost in the polls. “The point is that Mandela probably benefited from the fact that nobody knows who this current crop of gubernatorial candidates really is, so they’re saying ‘Who do you like?’ and they say the last guy that they remember voting for that wasn’t Tony Evers. And that’s Mandela Barnes.”
Beyond questions of optics and primary strategy, Barnes’ policy positions are squarely to the left on key issues and will be fodder for Republican attacks. He supports cashless bail, tougher gun restrictions, and aggressive climate policies, positions that energize the progressive base but may worry swing voters in statewide general elections. If Democrats head into a bruising primary centered on ideological divides and past defeats, Republicans will likely benefit from the fallout and the clarity of contrast at the top of the ballot.
