Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Nelson Drops Out Of Race

Tom Nelson, a candidate who tried to position himself as the most progressive in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, says he’s dropping out of the contest against Republican incumbent Ron Johnson in November.

The Outagamie County Executive, said he would support Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is in a tight race with Milwaukee Bucks Executive Alex Lasry. State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski is polling further behind. Nelson was in fourth place.

“Mandela can now count on me to be on his side every step of the way,” Nelson said in a statement. “I urge other Democratic primary voters to also support him now as well.”

Barnes issued a statement welcoming the endorsement.

“I deeply respect Tom Nelson’s commitment to the working people in this state and I’m thankful for his endorsement,” Barnes said. “It will take all of us coming together in every corner of this state to beat Ron Johnson.”

Nelson’s name will still appear on the ballots Aug. 9 because they have already been printed.