Mandela Barnes drops out of high-stakes Wisconsin governor’s race

Former lieutenant governor says path to Democratic nomination no longer viable as democratic socialist rival surges ahead

Mandela Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor on Thursday, upending the high-stakes contest less than two weeks before the 11 August election.

Barnes announced the decision in a video posted on social media, saying he no longer saw a viable path to the nomination, as democratic socialist Francesca Hong surged ahead with a commanding lead.