WIth another Democratic candidate dropping out of the 2026 primary for governor, UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky called it just another plot twist in the race. The city of Menasha took a direct hit from a massive tornado and Mayor Austin Hammond described the destruction and recovery. Betting on the outcome of elections is illegal in the state — Wisconsin Elections Commission member Ann Jacobs explained the long history of the law.

Anthony Chergosky
Professor, UW-La Crosse Department of Political Science and Public Administration

• Mandela Barnes abruptly dropped out of the 2026 race for governor on July 30. The suspension of his campaign came after statewide polling showed front-runner Francesca Hong’s support among Democratic primary voters pulling significantly ahead. Chergosky said Barnes entered the race as a known quantity, but was not ultimately able to use that to his advantage.
• Chergosky: “He did have excellent name recognition coming into the campaign. He had a national donor base that he could draw on. But ultimately, it seemed like he just wasn’t able to catch up to Hong. It’s worth noting, Fred, that during the debate this week, he didn’t directly go after Hong. He did not go negative on Hong. If anything, Barnes was more focused on David Crowley than he was the front-runner. To me, it symbolized how Barnes just couldn’t quite get going in this campaign. I think he started the campaign in general election mode, really focusing on Tom Tiffany more than his Democratic opponents. But that might have been a misstep, because while he was trying to portray a sense of inevitability around his nomination, Francesca Hong was quietly building a lead.”

Austin Hammond
Mayor, City of Menasha

• An EF-3 tornado hit the city of Menasha on July 27, which caused catastrophic damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure. Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to respond to the city’s needs for debris clearing and traffic control as relief efforts commenced. Given the scale of the damage, Hammond said it’s more than surprising no one was killed.
• Hammond: “I mean, it’s a miracle. It’s truly remarkable. I think some of it has to do with time of day in the middle of the week. Thankfully, many folks were at work. And then I think notifications that were given to give people ample notice of the storm to get into safe locations was another part of it. But it really is a miracle that nobody, to this point in time, there’s no fatalities because of the storms.”

Ann Jacobs
Commissioner, Wisconsin Elections Commission

• The Wisconsin Elections Commission issued an advisory on July 21 addressing the growing use of prediction markets: “Wisconsin law is clear: a voter cannot, even indirectly, make a bet or wager on the outcome of an election and then vote in that same election.” A state law prohibiting the practice has been on the books since 1849, according to Jacobs. Violating it could result in a voter’s ballot being challenged and have it not count. Additionally, betting on and voting in the same election is a class I felony. One question to Jacobs: How would anyone find out?
• Jacobs: “I get asked that question quite a bit and the answer is the same way crimes are reported to authorities of all types: a spurned spouse, or boyfriend, girlfriend, a disgruntled employee, an agitated neighbor, someone who you promised to share the money with and then didn’t share the vote results with. That’s how these sort of things are reported.”

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