MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes has joined the crowded Democratic field for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.
The 34-year-old Barnes made the announcement today and is vying to become the first Black U.S. senator in Wisconsin history, giving up a chance to run for a second term as Lieutenant Governor in the process.
Instead, Barnes has become the seventh Democrat to enter the race. Joining names like Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry and State Treasurer Sara Godlewski. A handful of former State Senators and an Outagamie County Executive are also in the race.
Governor Tony Evers called Barnes a “good friend and a good partner” and said he fully supports his decision to seek a higher office to serve the people of Wisconsin
“At the end of the day, Wisconsin deserves better than someone like Ron Johnson, who’s chosen to embrace reckless conspiracies that have risked public health and jeopardized our state’s economic recovery. We’re lucky to have strong Democratic candidates who are running to send him packing, and I look forward to supporting Wisconsin Democrats’ choice to take on Ron Johnson in 2022,” added the Governor.
Johnson has not said yet whether he will seek a third term. But a report released Monday indicated that his decision will likely not be driven by money as he raised more cash than all Democratic candidates combined in the second quarter of the year.
Barnes was launching his campaign with an event in his hometown of Milwaukee.
