Democratic candidate Mandela Barnes announced his withdrawal from the Wisconsin governor’s race on Thursday.
The announcement arrived just hours before anticipated damaging reports about Barnes were set to be released.
Barnes and his campaign had been discussing a possible exit earlier that day, and a spokesperson affirmed that no misconduct allegations have been made.
The primary has become increasingly contentious as moderate Democrats seek to halt the surge of socialist contender Francesca Hong, whose poll numbers have risen sharply.
Governor Tony Evers endorsed former Milwaukee mayor David Crowley, who reentered the contest after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez’s campaign collapsed.
Evers plans to appear at multiple fundraising events for Crowley in Madison and Milwaukee during the final weeks of the campaign.
Party insiders hope Barnes’s withdrawal will allow Democratic voters to unite behind Crowley as the nominee.
In a video posted to social media, Barnes described the decision as a difficult conversation with his staff and expressed pride in the campaign’s achievements.
He thanked Wisconsin voters and acknowledged that the party now has a clear nominee.
