The announcement comes as Democratic officials in the state brace for damaging media reports about Barnes, which are expected to hit in the coming hours. Barnes and his team had been on calls Thursday discussing whether to drop out, POLITICO reported earlier.
A spokesperson for Barnes’ campaign said in a statement that “there are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.”
The primary had become increasingly messy as more moderate leaning Democrats have tried to stave off Hong’s rise, worried the democratic socialist’s victory could boost Tiffany. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement of David Crowley — who reentered the race in the final stretch after current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s campaign imploded — further complicated the moderate coalition.
Democrats, including some close to Barnes, are hoping the last minute drop will allow voters to coalesce around Crowley, who is set to hit the campaign trail with Evers next week in the final stretch, according to four people with direct knowledge of the matter. Evers is also slated to appear at several fundraisers for Crowley in the coming days, including one in Madison on Thursday and a Friday event in Milwaukee.
Those Democrats believe Evers can help boost Crowley’s support with older voters to challenge Hong’s base of younger Wisconsinites, who are not as reliable of voters. Crowley still faces a major uphill battle, but that’s the only path to challenge Hong.
