Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced Thursday that he is ending his Democratic campaign for governor less than two weeks before the primary, conceding that state Rep. Francesca Hong has all but locked up the nomination. In a video posted to X, Barnes said he had a difficult conversation with his staff Wednesday night but was proud of what the campaign accomplished. His exit narrows an already chaotic field and leaves Hong with a commanding polling lead heading into the Aug. 11 primary.

Hong has surged unexpectedly to the front of the pack this summer, building a grassroots operation powered by volunteers and door-knockers across the state. A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday found her with the support of 38 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, more than doubling Barnes at 16 percent. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who re-entered the race just days ago after previously dropping out, trails at 7 percent. Hong has tried to keep the focus on kitchen-table issues like universal childcare and healthcare while distancing herself from some of her earlier positions on policing and from the national Democratic Socialists of America.

Barnes’ departure could give Crowley a late opening among moderate Democrats worried about Hong’s viability in a general election. Crowley quickly reached out to Barnes supporters on Thursday, telling them there is a place for them in his campaign. He has the backing of outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, and a person familiar with Crowley’s strategy said a blitz of ads and campaign events with Evers is coming. But even allies acknowledge it is a Hail Mary effort with little time left before voters head to the polls.

The primary has been rocked by one dramatic turn after another. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out this month after major problems surfaced with her campaign’s financial reporting. Then NBC News revealed a years-old social media account tied to Crowley featuring incendiary posts about women, race, and LGBTQ people. For Barnes, the decision closes another chapter in what has been an up-and-down political journey. The 39-year-old made history as Wisconsin’s first Black lieutenant governor and narrowly lost a Senate race to Republican Ron Johnson in 2022 by fewer than 27,000 votes. Whether he will seek statewide office again remains an open question.