Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
3dMandela Barnes has raised $42,336,589 this cycle, while Francesca Hong leads the latest odds for the Wisconsin Democratic governor nomination.
8%
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
EducationBA, Mass Communication/Media Studies, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (2003–2008)
Notable personal detailsJesse Mandela Barnes is an American politician who served as the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. A Democrat, he previously represented Wisconsin’s 11th Assembly district from 2013 to 2017. He has also run statewide, including as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2022, and later launched a campaign for governor of Wisconsin.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgmandelabarnes.comwikidata.orgevers.wi.govlinktr.eecommons.wikimedia.orgballotready.orgpbswisconsin.orgkids.kiddle.cokeywiki.orgwisconsinacademy.orges.wikipedia.orgidcrawl.comwispolitics.comupload.wikimedia.orgarxiv.orgnewmedia-wi.comwisn.comwisconsinexaminer.compolitifact.comwpr.orgwisconsinwatch.orglcv.orgclimatechange.wi.govcontent.govdelivery.comgiffords.orgurbanmilwaukee.comwashingtonpost.compeoplesaction.orgcitizenactionwi.orgwisbusiness.comwbay.comwisconsinrightnow.compolitico.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgmilwaukeecourier.comcaptimes.comnytimes.comdailycardinal.comvox.compbs.orgsemafor.comnbcnews.comjsonline.compro.stateaffairs.comyoutube.comcongress.govgovinfo.govlegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgfec.govdocquery.fec.govoversightdemocrats.house.govhistory.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.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.
Latest Insights
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
20.4%
20.4%
10.2%
7.5%
7.5%
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
The Next 50
Elected official
The Next 50 endorsed Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin governor in 2026.
NRDC Action Fund
Elected official
NRDC Action Fund endorsed Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin governor in 2026.
Collective PAC
Elected official
Collective PAC endorsed Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin governor in 2026.
UFCW Local 1473
Elected official
UFCW Local 1473 endorsed Mandela Barnes for governor of Wisconsin.
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.
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