Baylor Spears
@bspears.bsky.social
Reporter @WIExaminer || medill alum || tennessean || she/her || ✉️ baylor@wisconsinexaminer.com
Sen. Dora Drake, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, who has so far stayed neutral in the race told the Wisconsin Examiner that she is endorsing Crowley and doesn't think it's too late for him to win. There are six days until Election Day
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 14h agoCrowley gains late support as Hong confronts social media controversy. @bspears.bsky.social takes the pulse of the Democratic primary for governor as election day draws near buff.ly/rVpntWI
Crowley gains late support as Hong confronts social media controversy. @bspears.bsky.social takes the pulse of the Democratic primary for governor as election day draws near buff.ly/rVpntWI
Crowley gains late support as Hong confronts social media controversy • Wisconsin Examiner
Crowley is gaining late momentum as Hong faces renewed scrutiny about years-old, controversial social media posts.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Built some interactive maps for this one, give it a scroll through and hover over to see a bit of information about each race!
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 2d agoWhatever the outcome, the 2026 elections for governor and the state Legislature in Wisconsin are bound to be consequential. Round 1 is the August 11 primary elections, and @bspears.bsky.social surveys some of the key Senate and Assembly races to watch. buff.ly/Xs6rDPF
BREAKING: Mandela Barnes drops out of Democratic primary for governor via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/30/b...
BREAKING: Mandela Barnes drops out of primary for Wisconsin governor • Wisconsin Examiner
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes suddenly dropped out of the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor Thursday
wisconsinexaminer.com
NEWS: Mandela Barnes suspends his campaign for governor, says that "it's become very clear who our nominee is going to be."
@bspears.bsky.social recaps the only televised debate in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/29/w...
Wisconsin Democratic candidates for governor debate, mostly hold back direct attacks • Wisconsin Examiner
Candidates were told they were allowed to speak to one another, but direct back and forth and criticism was minimal throughout the debate.
wisconsinexaminer.com
New Marquette Law School Poll shows Francesca Hong even farther ahead of the other candidates in the Democratic primary for governor via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/new-m...
New Marquette Law School poll shows Hong ahead following shakeup in Democratic primary race • Wisconsin Examiner
The latest Marquette poll showed that Hong received support from 38% of likely Democratic primary voters — a 12-point jump.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Here's how to watch tonight's only debate among the Democrats vying to run for Wisconsin governor via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/where...
Where to watch tonight’s only televised debate between Democratic primary candidates for governor • Wisconsin Examiner
The five Democratic candidates for governor of Wisconsin will face off in the only televised debate ahead of the Aug. 11 primary at 7 p.m.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Democratic candidates in Wisconsin's governor's race discuss inclusive politics and a very bumpy week in the primary via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/21/d...
Democratic candidates discuss inclusive politics, bumpy primary campaign • Wisconsin Examiner
The forum took place with just three weeks to go before the primary election and following a massive shakeup in the race last week.
wisconsinexaminer.com
My colleague @isiahholmes.bsky.social spoke with @davidccrowley.bsky.social and was at his rally in Milwaukee where he relaunched his campaign for governor! Read more here on the shakeup in WI's Dem primary for guv: wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/18/c...
Milwaukee County Exec. David Crowley reenters Wisconsin governor’s race with Gov. Evers' endorsement • Wisconsin Examiner
David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive, has reentered the Democratic primary for governor. The winner will face Tom Tiffany in November.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Baylor Spears@bspears.bsky.social · 3w agoEvers officially endorses MKE Co. Executive David Crowley in the race for governor.
Evers officially endorses MKE Co. Executive David Crowley in the race for governor.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley plans to make a "special announcement concerning the Wisconsin Democratic primary race" tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Milwaukee. The Mandela Barnes campaign is out with a statement saying he "left this race for a reason."
Story here with reactions from candidates and a call for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to get back into the race:
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 3w agoBREAKING: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez drops out of race for governor following financial disaster @bspears.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/ispc6oS
NEWS: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropping out of the Democratic primary for governor.
Rodriguez says she's staying in the governor's race after firing her campaign manager over finance disaster via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/13/r...
Rodriguez says she’s staying in gov race after firing campaign manager in finance disaster • Wisconsin Examiner
Rodriguez called it “bump in the road,” although the error means she has hundreds of thousands of dollars less than she thought.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Crowley is the second Democrat to drop a bid for the office in recent weeks, narrowing the primary field to five.
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 4w agoBREAKING: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley drops out of the Wisconsin governor's race via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/07/08/m...
State Sen. Kelda Roys makes a move to break through crowded Democratic primary. @bspears.bsky.social continues our series of profiles of people aiming to occupy the governor's office next year. buff.ly/Pxq9FcP
State Sen. Kelda Roys makes a move to break through crowded Democratic primary • Wisconsin Examiner
Sen. Kelda Roys is seeking to break through a crowded Democratic primary field in her second run for governor.
wisconsinexaminer.com
ICYMI: Francesca Hong bets Wisconsin will embrace Democratic Socialism statewide. @bspears.bsky.social has the latest in our series of profiles ahead of the August gubernatorial primary buff.ly/2kqNpyT
Francesca Hong bets Wisconsin will embrace Democratic Socialism statewide • Wisconsin Examiner
Hong is betting her working-class background and pledge to build a government that works will connect with a broad swath of Wisconsinites.
wisconsinexaminer.com
The Wisconsin Examiner will be publishing a series of profiles of candidates in this year's primary and general elections. @bspears.bsky.social is up first with a look at Mandela Barnes, running two years after his near-miss Senate race.
Barnes leans on statewide experience to make case for Democratic nomination • Wisconsin Examiner
At a forum hosted by the Madison West High School civics club, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes told students that he would be the strongest Democratic candidate for governor because of his previous…
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Some high-profile election hopefuls fall short of ballot requirements wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/03/m...
Some high-profile election hopefuls fall short of ballot requirements • Wisconsin Examiner
Hundreds of candidates filed signatures with the Wisconsin Elections Commission this week to get on the ballot for this year's elections.
wisconsinexaminer.com
State Rep. Francesca Hong, one of the leaders in the Democratic primary for governor, was sued last week by Capital One Bank over nearly $30,000 in credit card debt her campaign says has since been paid in full, @henry-redman.bsky.social reports. wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/02/c...
Credit card company sues Hong for $30k in since paid debt • Wisconsin Examiner
State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), a leader in the Democratic primary for governor, was sued last week for nearly $30k in credit card debt
wisconsinexaminer.com
hi folks, i'm back from vacay, back to the leg and election season
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 2mo ago80% of Wisconsinites polled by Marquette Law said the Legislature should have passed the budget deal. But a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis found it would have stuck the state with a nearly $3 billion deficit. @bspears.bsky.social reports on why math is hard. buff.ly/EqNSeZ2
I'm out of state the rest of this week for my sister's graduation, so really thankful @henry-redman.bsky.social could stay late at the Capitol to follow this wild day.
Wisconsin Examiner@wisconsinexaminer.com · 3mo agoEvers property tax, school funding deal with GOP dies in Senate, despite amendment that aimed to woo Democrats after 3 Republicans turned thumbs down. @henry-redman.bsky.social stuck around the Capitol until the bitter end this evening. wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/13/e...
Gov. Evers, Wisconsin GOP leaders announce $1.8B tax relief and school funding deal via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/11/g...
Gov. Tony Evers and GOP announce $1.8 billion tax relief and school funding deal • Wisconsin Examiner
The $1.8 billion deal announced Monday to would provide funding to schools for general aid and special education and provide tax relief.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Story to come via @wisconsinexaminer.com
Baylor Spears@bspears.bsky.social · 3mo agoEvers in Barneveld this morning. He'll talk with reporters soon about the $1.8 billion tax/school funding deal reached w/ GOP lawmakers It includes $300 million for school aids, $300 million to reach a 50% special ed reimbursement, $300 tax refunds for individuals, no tax on tips/overtime
Evers in Barneveld this morning. He'll talk with reporters soon about the $1.8 billion tax/school funding deal reached w/ GOP lawmakers It includes $300 million for school aids, $300 million to reach a 50% special ed reimbursement, $300 tax refunds for individuals, no tax on tips/overtime
Madison May Day march is making its way to the Wisconsin State Capitol. @wisconsinexaminer.com
A GOP-led committee that fancies itself as a state version of DOGE is scrutinizing the Department of Public Instruction's conference a couple of years ago. Democrats aren't impressed. @bspears.bsky.social has the details. buff.ly/OMYECRi
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction argues it didn’t violate law with waterpark meeting • Wisconsin Examiner
Andrew Hoyer-Booth, DPI legislative liaison, told lawmakers at the start of the hearing that it’s a “distraction” from DPI’s work.
wisconsinexaminer.com
Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session. @bspears.bsky.social has the story.
Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session • Wisconsin Examiner
Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said her caucus is committed to working to improve affordability in the next legislative session.
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And more GOP retirements this week wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/gop-s...
GOP Sen. Jesse James drops challenge against Democratic Sen. Jeff Smith • Wisconsin Examiner
Sen. Jesse James is the the fifth Senate Republican to announce his retirement from office in 2024. Rep. Scott Allen is also retiring.
wisconsinexaminer.com