Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes has officially entered Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race, bringing statewide name recognition — and a lengthy trail of controversies — into an already competitive Democratic primary.
Barnes, who narrowly lost his 2022 Senate bid to Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, cast himself as a pro-labor candidate focused on affordability in his launch video. He accused the Trump administration of governing through “distraction and chaos” and argued Wisconsin needs leadership centered on economic stability, not political theatrics. “It’s about whether people can afford to live in the state they call home,” Barnes said, emphasizing wages, health care costs, and opportunities for young workers.
But Barnes’ entry also revives a series of issues that have dogged him for years. As a state legislator, he voted against a bill that expanded felony protections for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, public defenders, and their families. He faced widespread criticism for his factually incorrect and incendiary statements about the Jacob Blake shooting, refusing to walk back claims that officials later determined were not supported by evidence.
He also admitted in 2019 that he misled the public about holding a college degree, walked out of an interview when questioned about delinquent property taxes, and racked up outstanding parking fines that temporarily blocked his vehicle registration. Barnes has additionally drawn scrutiny for past comments calling the founding of the United States “awful,” supporting the Green New Deal, advocating the elimination of cash bail, and posing with an “Abolish ICE” shirt, as reported by Wisconsin Right Now.
Policy stances from his time in office are resurfacing as well. Barnes previously chaired Gov. Tony Evers’ Climate Change Task Force, supported taxpayer-funded university tuition for undocumented immigrants, called for driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, and said it was “unfortunate” that incarcerated individuals cannot vote.
As Democratic Gov. Tony Evers steps aside, Barnes joins a primary field that includes Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys, state Rep. Francesca Hong, and former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes. His prominence gives him an early advantage — but also guarantees a contentious debate over his record.
