Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes officially declared his candidacy for governor on Tuesday, stepping into a burgeoning and fiercely competitive Democratic primary. Barnes, who narrowly lost a Senate race to Republican Ron Johnson in 2022, is aiming to succeed the retiring Gov. Tony Evers.

In his campaign launch video, Barnes took a strong stance on economic issues, criticizing the Republican agenda and highlighting the struggles of working families. He stated, "It seems like the harder you work, the more Washington looks the other way — lower taxes for billionaires, higher prices for working people." Barnes also commented on the political climate under former President Trump, describing it as a time of "distraction and chaos to avoid accountability." He emphasized that the real issues are not about political sides but about the affordability and livability of Wisconsin.

Despite his high profile, Barnes' entry into the governor's race does not guarantee an easy path through the primary. The field already includes several notable Democrats such as Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, and attorney Missy Hughes. This diverse lineup suggests a dynamic primary season ahead.

A recent Marquette University poll indicates that the race remains wide open, with 81 percent of Democratic voters still undecided. Among those surveyed, Crowley leads in name recognition at 26 percent, closely followed by Rodriguez at 25 percent, and Hong at 22 percent. Barnes was not included in the poll as he had not yet announced his candidacy.

On the Republican side, the primary also features significant competition, with Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann vying for the nomination. Notably, former President Donald Trump has yet to endorse a candidate in this race.

As the political landscape in Wisconsin heats up, voters will be watching closely to see how candidates address key issues affecting their lives and futures. With the primary scheduled for August, the coming months are set to be a critical period for all candidates as they seek to connect with voters and gain momentum in their campaigns.