In late July 2022 all of Mandela Barnes’ major competitors withdrew from the Democratic primary race and endorsed him, leaving him as the presumptive nominee.
Mandela is Wisconsin’s first black Lieutenant Governor. If elected he will be the first black person to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.
Mandela’s background
Mandela, named after former South African president Nelson Mandela, was born in Milwaukee in one of the most impoverished zip codes in the state. His mom was a school teacher; his dad worked at the GM factory and was a member of United Auto Workers. Mandela entered college at age 16. Mandela said he was inspired to get involved in politics when he heard Obama’s 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention.
After college, Mandela became a community organizer in his hometown where he fought to bring good jobs to the area. He was elected to Wisconsin’s State Assembly at age 25. In the Assembly he championed issues including the environment, economy, education, racial justice, and health care, and became a national leader on gun violence prevention.
In 2018, at age 31, Mandela became Lieutenant Governor when Tony Evers beat Scott Walker in the race for Governor. Governor Evers appointed Mandela as chair of the Task Force on Climate Change. The Task Force produced 55 concrete strategies for how Wisconsin can begin to address the climate crisis.
In July 2021 Mandela announced: “I’m running for the United States Senate because when things get tough, we shouldn’t lower our expectations. I believe we need to build a better America where the opportunity I found isn't so rare”. He called for “leveling the playing field” by fighting for family-supporting jobs, combatting gun violence, creating a fairer immigration system, improving health care, addressing climate change and protecting democracy and the right to vote.
On the day of the school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Mandela tweeted: “My heart is breaking for Texas. No one should be afraid to send their kids to school. No one should be afraid to go to work. This is devastating and it shouldn't take loss like this to pass common sense gun legislation.”
When Roe v Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, Mandela said: “This decision will punish women and cost people their lives.” He tweeted: “An 1849 anti-abortion law. That’s what governs Wisconsin now that SCOTUS has struck down Roe v. Wade. I am horrified. I am disappointed. But I am determined, just like you. We will not stop until every person in America has the right to choose.”
In April 2022 Mandela announced the Barnes for Barns tour, a statewide listening tour to highlight issues faced by Wisconsin’s farming and agriculture industry. He traveled the state to meet with family farmers, meat processors, and agriculture businesses to discuss their experiences and challenges.
Mandela’s opponent
Mandela is running to unseat Republican Senator Ron Johnson, a former plastics manufacturer, hardline Trump ally, and a leading promoter of Trump’s lies about election fraud and COVID-19. Johnson was once described as “what you get when QAnon and the Tea Party have a baby”. A Wisconsin politician said about Johnson, “Of all the Trump apologists, he stands out as number one.”
Johnson has peddled the Big Lie. He challenged Republican Attorney General William Barr’s assertion that there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Johnson said: “There’s this feeling that this election was stolen, that it’s not fair, that there’s all kinds of fraud.” In June 2022 the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol disclosed that in January 2021 Johnson had tried to give Vice President Pence a list of fake electors in order to help overturn Biden’s election and keep Trump in power. Mandela commented: “Ron Johnson actively tried to undermine this democracy. He literally tried to hand Mike Pence fake ballots. Once again, Ron Johnson has proven he’s a danger to our country and our fundamental rights.”
Johnson peddled a debunked conspiracy theory arguing that leftists posing as Trump supporters played a role in the January 6th attack. Johnson also said he never "felt threatened" on January 6th because "I knew those were people that love this country" but if "those were tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters, I might have been a little concerned." That comment led Senator Bob Menendez to call Johnson “racist” on the Senate floor.
After the 2022 Uvalde school massacre, Johnson said that he opposes any new gun laws to address mass shootings, and he blamed the Uvalde killings on critical race theory and “wokeness”. Mandela remarked: “Ron Johnson will do or say anything to distract from the $1.2 million he’s taken from the gun lobby. Ron Johnson and his gun lobby-funded colleagues are the reason we haven’t been able to pass common sense gun reform. If he won’t step up to protect our kids, I will.”
Johnson welcomed the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade, and said people who don’t like their state’s abortion law can “move”. He has supported federal restrictions on abortions.
In August 2022 Johnson suggested that Social Security and Medicare be eliminated as federal entitlement programs, and that they should instead become programs approved by Congress on an annual basis as discretionary spending.
In April 2021 Johnson claimed there was “no reason to be pushing” COVID vaccines. He said it “may be true” that COVID vaccines cause AIDS, only to later deny ever believing that. YouTube suspended Johnson from uploading videos for one week after he shared a clip in which he touted the supposed benefits of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin in fighting COVID.
Johnson has a terrible record on the environment; League of Conservation Voters gives him a lifetime score of 7%. In 2016, in response to a question about climate change, Johnson said: “The climate hasn't warmed in quite a few years. I mean, that is proven scientifically.” In response, Sierra Club Deputy National Political Director Ariel Hayes released this statement: “It's been proven scientifically that Sen. Ron Johnson has absolutely no clue what he is talking about. With 2016 on track to be the hottest year on record, Ron Johnson continues to ignore the crises facing families in Wisconsin and communities across the nation.”
Johnson gets an “A” rating from National Rifle Association, and a 0% score from Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Mandela’s priorities
Mandela’s campaign website highlights 16 issue priorities, including fighting inflation, protecting a woman’s right to choose, addressing climate change, providing more affordable health care, strengthening public safety, and empowering Wisconsin’s family farms.
Another of those 16 priorities is Mandela’s “Plan for Democracy”, which he outlines in detail after this introduction: “It’s time to deliver a clear message that America won’t allow those who would undermine our democracy to continue leading it. We must hold our leaders accountable. As your next United States Senator, I will bring together people from across the partisan divide to:
Praise for Mandela
The following are among the many endorsements and announcements of support for Mandela:
House Majority Whip James Clyburn called Mandela a "proven leader who has shown he will always stand up for people from every corner of Wisconsin."
Senator Cory Booker called Mandela a “game changer” and said: “Mandela’s story is only possible here in America. It shows how hard work, faith, and opportunity can transform a family and a community.”
The League of Conservation Voters said: “Mandela Barnes is a true environmental champion with a strong record leading efforts to combat the climate crisis working with farmers, environmental advocates, indigenous leaders and business executives in Wisconsin.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren said Mandela has been “a tireless advocate for people all across Wisconsin. In the Senate, we will work together to root out the corruption and special-interest influence that delivers handouts to the wealthiest people and largest corporations while leaving working people and small businesses behind.”
Senator Jeff Merkley said: “Mandela is exactly the kind of strong leader for working families we need in the Senate! Mandela doesn't take a dime from corporate PACs because he believes public servants should be accountable to the people, not the powerful corporate special interests. Mandela understands just how grievous the attacks on our democracy are and will fight like hell to preserve and protect it. Instead of spouting conspiracy theories and enriching the wealthy and powerful special interests like some senators, Mandela will get up every day thinking about how we create opportunity for every single person in this country, no matter where they live, what they look like, or how much money they make. Sounds pretty good, right?”
Call to action
With election day nearing, we need to do all we can to support Mandela and defeat Johnson.
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