Mandela Barnes

Mandela Barnes graduated from John Marshall High School. Barnes earned a bachelor's degree from Alabama A&M University in communication and media studies in 2008. His career experience includes working for the city of Milwaukee, as a community organizer for the Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope, and the deputy director of strategic engagement with the State Innovation Exchange.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Mandela Barnes. I grew up in Milwaukee as the son of a proud union household in the heart of the 53206 zip code—that’s the state’s poorest and the nation’s most incarcerated. I got my start as a community organizer, and I’ve spent my entire career fighting to make life better for working families. I was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly at the age of 25 after ousting a Democratic incumbent. In 2018, I ran alongside Tony Evers to kick Scott Walker out of office to become Wisconsin’s first Black Lt. Governor. We got right to work reversing all the damage done during the Walker years and led Wisconsin through the COVID pandemic. Now, I’m running for Governor to make life more affordable and protect Wisconsin families from the chaos and corruption coming out of Washington.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running for Governor because Wisconsinites are living in a rigged system. I know it firsthand. I know exactly what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck and how one bill can throw everything off. Right now, Donald Trump’s Washington Way of chaos and corruption is sending costs skyrocketing for every single Wisconsinite while he and his billionaire donors get richer and richer. I’m running for Governor to fix that broken system and get things done the Wisconsin Way. That starts by taxing the rich to lower taxes for the middle-class, freezing utility rates, and keeping Wisconsin safe.On day one as Governor, I will call a special session to expand BadgerCare and pass a public option, and I won’t stop until we get this done. Wisconsin is one of just ten states that has yet to expand Medicaid under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Even Republican states have done it, but not Wisconsin.

That ends when I become Governor. I will veto any state budget that does not include BadgerCare expansion. BadgerCare expansion is a critical first step to providing coverage to thousands of uninsured Wisconsinites, but we also need a public option for folks to buy-in to BadgerCare. This will give families an affordable alternative that pushes insurance companies to lower costs.Right now, Wisconsinites are seeing their utility bills skyrocket while at the same time utility companies and their executives rake in record profits. We are getting squeezed by a corrupt system rigged for greedy monopolies that keep jacking up rates while working people, small businesses, family farmers, and our environment pays the price. As Governor, I’m going to freeze the rates and bring down energy costs. I will hold those greedy monopolies accountable by capping executive pay and banning the use of ratepayer dollars on lobbying and political expenses. We will bring down costs by building more renewable energy here in Wisconsin, create good-paying union jobs doing it, and lower energy prices for families and businesses.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Getting big money out of politics. I’m proud to have been endorsed by End Citizens United for my resolve in fighting to stop billionaires and corporations from buying elections and corrupt politicians to do their bidding. I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money because my fight is for Wisconsinites, not the greedy corporations ripping us off. My opponent Tom Tiffany voted for the loophole in WI that has allowed near-unlimited amounts of dark money to flow into our elections and drown out the voices of Wisconsin families. When I am Governor, I’ll fight to get money out of our politics and strengthen Wisconsin’s democracy, including fixing our broken congressional maps and making voting as safe and accessible as possible.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I’m proud to have been endorsed by End Citizens United for my resolve in the fight to get money out of politics and to reject corporate PAC money; UFCW Local 1473—the largest private sector union in the state; Collective PAC; NRDC Action Fund; Next 50; Senator Adam Schiff; Representatives Angelina Cruz and Amaad Rivera-Wagner, Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond, Superior Mayor Jim Paine, and dozens of state and local officials from across Wisconsin.

Campaign websiteBarnes' campaign website stated the following:The Wisconsin WayDonald Trump’s Washington has put Wisconsinites in a bind. Costs are skyrocketing, gas prices are through the roof, and tariffs are killing small businesses and family farms across the state. The deck is stacked in favor of billionaires while working families are left behind—and the ultra-wealthy are buying politicians to keep it that way. Mandela Barnes will change that by getting things done the Wisconsin Way.The Wisconsin Way means bringing down costs, expanding BadgerCare and creating a public option, passing universal childcare, and freezing utility rates so working families across the state can actually make ends meet. It means ending the corruption that’s making life more expensive, taking on greedy monopolies, drawing fair congressional maps, and rejecting every dime of corporate PAC money—because the people writing the rules right now are writing them for billionaires, not for Wisconsinites.With his deep experience as a lawmaker and as the state’s first Black Lt. Governor, Mandela Barnes has unmatched experience and is ready to get to work on day one lowering costs for Wisconsin families.Tax the Rich to Lower Costs for Wisconsin Families"Corporate greed is hollowing out Wisconsin—killing family farms, shipping jobs overseas, and leaving working families to foot the bill while out-of-state corporations pay nothing in taxes. “The wealthy have gotten away without paying their fair share for far too long. Corporations are making historic sums of wealth. “That ends when I become Governor. I will close the loopholes and force wealthy, out-of-state corporations to finally pay their fair share so we can cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses.”Closing Tax Loopholes for Wealthy, Out-of-State CorporationsMandela will reform the Agriculture and Manufacturing Tax Credit which has for too long been letting huge, out-of-state corporations reap rewards while family farmers struggle to get by. He will ensure that small businesses and family farms see the bulk of that tax relief.Cut Taxes for Middle Class FamiliesBy closing tax loopholes for the ultra-wealthy, we can cut taxes for middle-class families and ensure that Wisconsin families get the relief they deserve from Trump’s price hikes.Establish a New Tax Bracket for MillionairesMandela will establish a new tax bracket for individuals making over a million dollars annually to ensure everyone in Wisconsin is paying their fair share. Tax Estates Larger than $15 Million DollarsIt is time to restore the $15 million dollar estate tax with an exception for small businesses and farmland. Pass Living Wage LegislationWisconsin’s minimum wage remains $7.25 an hour, leaving thousands of Wisconsin workers with insufficient pay to make ends meet. Mandela will pass living wage legislation that will immediately raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and gradual increases to $20 an hour over multiple years. He will also tie the minimum wage to inflation so wages will keep up with rising prices.Lower Property TaxesWisconsin has failed to meet our constitutional obligation to fully fund our public schools, which is why so many communities around the state have voted to increase their own property taxes just to keep the lights on. By fully funding our schools with the resources they need, Mandela will lower the property tax burden for families in every corner of the state.Freeze the Rates“Wisconsin's utility monopolies rake in some of the highest profit margins in the entire nation while our bills skyrocket. That's not a coincidence. “Utility companies have rigged the system to boost their profits and pay for the massive salaries of wealthy executives while Wisconsinites have had to cut back on essentials like food and prescriptions to keep the heat on. “As Governor, I will freeze utility rates and take on monopolies like WE Energies who are exploiting ratepayers to line their own pockets.”Freeze the RatesMandela will freeze utility rates during this affordability crisis by appointing Public Service Commissioners who will put Wisconsinites first. Wisconsin has frozen rates before, and will again when Mandela is Governor. Close the Revolving DoorMandela will close the revolving door that lets PSC commissioners who use their roles as a stepping stone to becoming wealthy utility executives running the very companies they used to be regulating. Hold Greedy Monopolies AccountableMandela will pass legislation caps the pay of wealthy executives for utility companies and companies from using ratepayer money on lobbying and political expenses. Stop Greedy Utilities from Profiting off Shuttered Fossil Fuel PlantsMandela will close the loopholes that have forced rate payers to pay for the debts of shuttered coal plants just so greedy utility monopolies can rake in massive profits even after a plant has shut down. Cut Taxes and Costs for Property OwnersTom Tiffany and Republicans in Congress recently repealed tax cuts for property owners who can take steps at home like sealing windows to prevent heat loss and updating HVAC systems to save money on monthly heating bills. Mandela will pass state-level tax cuts to help Wisconsinites afford these commonsense improvements to lower their utility bills.Fight Back Against Donald Trump's Price HikesWisconsin will bring legal cases to the Federal Energy Regulator Commission to block steep price hikes from the grid operator for Wisconsin, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).Expand BadgerCare, Create Public Option and Forgive Medical Debt“As Governor, I will expand BadgerCare on Day One and pass a public option. Wisconsin is one of ten states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving thousands of Wisconsinites without access to affordable care. As Governor, I will finally get this done and lower costs for Wisconsin families. By creating a public option, we can let families access the state’s lower-cost BadgerCare plan and bring down costs for every single Wisconsin family.” Expand BadgerCareOn Day One as Governor, Mandela will call a special session to expand BadgerCare and provide a public option and won’t stop until it happens. He will veto any state budget that does not include BadgerCare expansion. Expanding BadgerCare is a critical first step to ensuring access to affordable health insurance for families who have been priced out by private insurers.Public Option for BadgerCareMandela will fight to pass a public option that allows Wisconsinites to buy-in to BadgerCare, giving families an affordable alternative that pushes insurance companies to lower costs.Protect Rural Hospitals and Increase Access to HealthcareDonald Trump and Tom Tiffany have pushed Wisconsin’s rural hospitals to the brink of closure to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. By expanding BadgerCare and increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, Mandela will ensure those hospitals stay open and increase access to affordable health care in every corner of the state. This includes ensuring there is sufficient funding for home healthcare and services for disabled Wisconsinites.Regulate Hospital Monopolies and Hold Hospitals Accountable for Rising CostsMandela will reestablish state regulation of hospital rates and the requirement that hospitals establish medical needs in order to build new units and facilities. He will force hospitals to show transparency around pricing so every Wisconsinite knows how much their procedures will cost.Forgive Medical DebtNo Wisconsinite should be driven into bankruptcy because of an accident or a slip-and-a-fall that could happen to anybody. Because debt collectors sell medical debt for pennies on the dollar, small investments can wipe out millions and billions of dollars in debt for a fraction of the cost. Mandela will create pilot programs that will ease the burden of medical debt on Wisconsin families.Increase Funding for Mental HealthMental healthcare is healthcare, and as Governor, Mandela will fight for increased funding support for mental health providers. Protect America's Dairyland“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland. But for far too long, corporate greed and politicians like Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany have sold out our farms for massive tax giveaways to billionaires and corporate monopolies. “With my plan, we will take on the monopolies that are pricing out Wisconsin farmers and killing farms across the state. Family farming is the backbone and heart of this state, and I will do everything I can as Governor to put the needs of farmers first.”Enforce Antitrust Laws and Break up Out-of-State MonopoliesMonopolies in meatpacking and other middlemen across the ag industry have been core to why farmers are struggling from not being able to negotiate fair prices. Mandela will take on those corporate interests as Governor and work with the Attorney General to enforce antitrust laws and break up monopolies that are hurting farms. He will also support the creation and expansion of local, independent meatpacking plants that offer farmers fair prices instead of corporate entities that price out farms.Fight Back against Tiffany-Trump Tariffs That Are Killing FarmsTom Tiffany cast the deciding vote to continue Trump’s tariffs which are killing Wisconsin’s farms and sending grocery costs skyrocketing for working families. As Governor, Mandela will sue the Trump administration and fight for a tariff refund to Wisconsin farmers and small businesses who bore the brunt of those price hikes.Protect Rural Hospitals and Increase Access to HealthcareDonald Trump and Tom Tiffany have pushed Wisconsin’s rural hospitals to the brink of closure to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. By expanding BadgerCare and increasing Medicare-and-Medicaid reimbursement rates, Mandela will ensure those hospitals stay open and increase access to affordable health care in every corner of the state. This includes ensuring there is sufficient funding for home healthcare and services for disabled Wisconsinites.Pass Right to Repair LawWisconsin farmers are losing millions each year because manufacturers refuse to allow farmers to fix their own equipment, instead forcing them to rely on specialty dealers that charge exorbitant prices. When Mandela is Governor, he will pass a Right to Repair law that lets farmers fix their own agricultural equipment by making manufacturers provide repair documents, parts, and tools available for fair prices. With this legislation, he will also still ensure companies can protect intellectual property rights and trade secrets.Expand Market Access for FarmsMandela will expand opportunities for farmers to sell Wisconsin-grown food to schools, hospitals, senior centers, and food pantries to give farmers new, reliable local markets for their crops and livestock. He will also expand local processing capacity and support cooperative development to give farmers and consumers more options. Mandela will create incentives to invest in biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuels, to give farmers more markets for their crops. He will create a state match fund for farmers and agriculture organizations to leverage so they can tap into federal funding opportunities that improve market access.Build the Next Generation of Family FarmersMandela will create tax credits to incentivize farmland owners to create a succession plan that protects their legacy and to sell or rent land to the next generation starting new farms. He will implement a down payment assistance program to help prospective farmers purchase their first farm. Mandela will also invest in a Farmland Link program to connect farmland owners with farmland seekers and create a complementary grant program for boots-on-the-ground service providers that support farmers with farmland access and transition planning. He will expand agricultural education in schools across the state and support organizations like FFA and 4H that build strong relationships between students and Wisconsin agriculture.Empower Wisconsin Farmers as Conservation LeadersAs Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, Mandela worked with members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Wisconsin Farmers Union to explore ways to incentivize farmers for improving soil health and water quality. Right now, only around 20% of Wisconsin farms are engaging in those conservation programs including reduced tillage and cover crops. As Governor, Mandela will create a soil health program to encourage voluntary conservation practices and help farmers tap into voluntary, incentive-based ecosystem services markets that diversify their income.Eliminate Frivolous Fees on Licensing, Livestock RegistrationsWisconsin has some of the highest licensing and registration fees in the Midwest, and those costs are passed down to producers, hurting our already struggling farmers. As Governor, Mandela will pass legislation to reduce bureaucratic fees and take the burden off Wisconsin farmers.Stop Corporations and Foreign Countries from Buying Wisconsin FarmlandWisconsin farmland should be for Wisconsin farmers—not for New York hedge funds or foreign countries. Mandela will pass a law to ban foreign countries and out-of-state investment firms from purchasing Wisconsin farmland to protect national security and address rising land prices.Keeping Wisconsinites Safe“There is no greater priority as Governor than keeping Wisconsinites safe.“I grew up in the heart of the 53206 zip code—that’s our nation’s poorest and our state’s most incarcerated. I saw what happens when people don't have opportunity—how it pulls families apart and how it makes people feel unsafe walking to the corner store.“That's exactly why as Governor, I will fully fund law enforcement and invest in the preventative programs that stop crime before it starts.”Fully Fund Law EnforcementMandela will make sure that every community has fully funded law enforcement and the resources they need to keep communities safe. He will also invest in programs that prevent crime from happening in the first place and ensure every left-behind community across our state has the strong investments in their economy and education. Stop ICE from Making Wisconsin Less SafeUnder Donald Trump, ICE has become a rogue agency that’s stopped deporting violent criminals and instead making our communities less safe and killing American citizens in cold blood. Mandela will protect Wisconsinites by requiring agents to be unmasked, to respect constitutional rights, and stay out of our schools, churches, and daycare centers. Support Local Emergency Response ProgramsAcross Wisconsin, local and rural police, fire departments, and EMS systems are in drastic need of funding. Mandela will fight to ensure every community has the resources they need to keep Wisconsinites safe.Increased Funding for Mental Health ProfessionalsMandela will ensure mental health officials in every corner of Wisconsin have the funding needed to tackle the mental health crisis Pass Common Sense Gun LawsIn the state legislature, Mandela pushed for the passage of lifesaving gun safety legislation, including bills to expand background checks to all gun sales and to implement extreme risk protection orders. As Governor, he will get the job done to keep Wisconsin families safe, including passing red flag laws and banning the sale of military-style assault weapons. Mandela will also protect the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners across Wisconsin, including protecting the rich traditions of Wisconsin hunters.Fully Fund Education and Bring Down Property Taxes“Republicans like Tom Tiffany spent years in the state legislature voting to underfund public education, and now Wisconsinites are seeing their property taxes skyrocket because of their negligence. “Wisconsin taxpayers should not have to pay for the failures of politicians like Tom Tiffany who are out to do the bidding of billionaires. “As Governor, I will clean up their mess by fully funding our public schools and providing real property tax relief directly to families.”Fully Fund Our Public SchoolsWisconsin has failed to live up to its constitutional obligation to meet two-thirds funding for our public schools. As Governor, Mandela will make sure the state fully funds those schools so local communities aren’t forced into referendums to raise property taxes just to keep the lights on.Increase Accountability for Voucher SchoolsMandela will establish accountability boards ensuring that voucher and charter schools are held to the same standards as public schools. Bad-actors that are failing kids need to be held accountable. Any private school that fails our students and does not meet the same standards of public schools should not receive taxpayer money.Responsibly Sunset the Voucher ProgramAs Governor, Mandela will initiate a responsible multi-year sunset of the state’s voucher program and strengthen public schools so they have the capacity to take on more students.Fully Funded Special EducationWisconsin currently reimburses special education costs for voucher schools at 90 percent, while that reimbursement rate for public schools is less than 30 percent. As Governor, Mandela will fully reimburse special education costs for our public schools.Pass Community Schools LegislationMandela was the lead author of community schools legislation in the State Assembly, and as Governor he will pass legislation strengthening the role of schools as a hub for community services, including after-school programs and wrap-around services.Tackle the Teacher Shortage by Providing Debt Relief for Public School TeachersTo address Wisconsin’s growing teacher shortage—particularly in rural Wisconsin—Mandela Barnes will create student debt forgiveness programs for public school teachers, incentivizing Wisconsinites to both enter and stay in the teaching profession.Expand Union Apprenticeship ProgramsMandela Barnes will expand apprenticeship programs with unions and trade schools to ensure that when companies invest in Wisconsin, they're employing Wisconsinites.Increase State Funding for UW SystemWisconsin’s state system currently ranks 44th for state funding. To keep Wisconsin competitive and ensure young people want to stay and grow their families in the state, Mandela will increase funding for the UW System.Expand Bucky's Tuition PromiseThe University of Wisconsin-Madison offers free tuition for eligible families and institutional aid programs allow nearly two-thirds of students graduating debt-free. Mandela will expand these programs across the UW system to lower student debt for middle-class families.Free Tuition for Community and Technical CollegesMandela will explore options for eliminating tuition expenses for UW technical and community college programs. Bringing Down Childcare Costs“Childcare is broken in Wisconsin—and we're on the verge of a full collapse."Every childcare center struggles to retain staff and keep their doors open, but staff struggle to stay in this field because of a lack of living wages, and centers can't raise wages without raising costs for families."There are families who can afford childcare but there are no spots for them at centers in their communities, and there are families who have spots but can't afford it. And now, with the expiration of direct provider payments at the end of June, we could see up to 30% of centers across the state shutter which would leave thousands more families without options."We need to fix this broken system by guaranteeing full, comprehensive universal childcare."Pass Universal ChildcareMandela will fight for the legislature to pass universal, affordable child care that builds on the state’s existing childcare infrastructure.Living Wages for Childcare ProvidersToo many childcare providers and educators are pushed out of the career they love because of low wages. Mandela will fight to ensure providers are paid fair wages that lets them stay in early childhood education. Protect Head StartDonald Trump and his MAGA allies like Tom Tiffany have attacked Head Start at every turn. Mandela will protect Head Start funding streams and take on the Trump administration when they come after our children.Paid Family LeaveAs a community organizer in Milwaukee, Mandela led the charge on helping win paid leave for the City of Milwaukee. He will pass a statewide paid leave policy that ensures small business owners and their employees can take the time they need for their health and their families.Make Housing More Affordable“Housing costs have exploded in Wisconsin, and buying a home—something that used to be a realistic goal for a working family—now feels completely out of reach. “That's shameful, and as Governor, I'll fight to bring those costs down and make homeownership real again by building more homes in every corner of this state.”Stop Out-of-State Hedge Funds from Pricing Out WisconsinitesOut-of-state, corporate entities are buying family homes across the state and pricing families out of their neighborhoods. Mandela will stop those hedge funds and fight to make housing more affordable so every family can buy and own a home.Build More Homes Across WisconsinMandela will cut red tape and reform zoning laws to make it easier for Wisconsinites and local companies to build their own homes.Provide Tax Credits, Low-Interest Loans for First-Time HomebuyersMandela Barnes will make it easier for younger Wisconsinites to buy their first home by empowering the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to provide low-interest loans to first time home buyers. He will also establish a tax credit for those purchasing their first home to bring down the upfront costs.Repeal Act 10 & Strengthen Union Rights“As a state legislator and Lieutenant Governor, I’ve always fought to ensure every worker in Wisconsin has the protections and rights they need to earn a fair paycheck and provide for their families. “There’s nothing I’m prouder of in my career than helping Tony Evers kick Scott Walker out of office after he took a chainsaw to Wisconsin unions.“As Governor, I’m going to finish the job and restore the rights stripped away under Scott Walker—including repealing Act 10 and ensuring that every union in our state has the full right to organize and collectively bargain.”Repeal Act 10Walker’s Act 10 cut pay for union workers and made life worse for every worker in Wisconsin. Mandela will repeal Act 10 and restore the rights for unions to collectively bargain.Repeal Wisconsin's So Called Right-to-Work LawWisconsin's right-to-work law starves unions of the dues they need to fight for better wages and working conditions. Mandela will repeal it.Preserve Wisconsin's Pension and Retirement Program for Public WorkersWisconsin has long had one of the best pension systems in the country and Mandela will fight to keep it that way. He will stand up against any efforts to privatize the system, weaken it, decrease investments, or increase the minimum age of retirement.Restore Strong Civil Service LawsIn 2015, Republicans in the state legislature gutted Wisconsin’s civil service system, weakening protections for state employees. Mandela will restore those protections as Governor to protect workers from unfair practices.Repeal Wisconsin's Broken Congressional Maps and Unrig Our Democracy“Since day one of this campaign, I’ve publicly supported redrawing Wisconsin’s congressional maps. We are a 50-50 state, yet our congressional delegation is six to two. “That’s not how democracy works, and as Trump continues to rig maps across the country, it is time Wisconsin finally unrigs our maps.”Pass Fair MapsMandela will use every tool in the toolbox to pass fair congressional maps in Wisconsin, including working with the state legislature to pass fair maps immediately when he is Governor. Ensure Safe and Fair ElectionsFollowing his time as Lt. Governor, Mandela served on the board of Wisconsin’s Democracy Defense Project, a bipartisan commission dedicated to serving as a counterweight to attempts to undermine and sow distrust in election integrity. Mandela will fight to ensure Wisconsin’s elections are safe, fair, and take on those who sow distrust.Strengthen Wisconsin's Campaign Finance LawsIn 2015, Tom Tiffany cast a vote to allow billionaires and big corporations to buy Wisconsin elections, letting unlimited amounts of dark money flood our state. Mandela will strengthen Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws and fix our broken system.A Campaign That Takes No Corporate PAC MoneyRight now, corporations and billionaires are buying elections to make sure they keep getting richer and richer on the backs of working families. But they can’t buy Mandela. His campaign is never taking a dime of corporate PAC money, and as Governor he will fight to get corporate PAC money out of WI elections. Protect Wisconsin's Environment & Public Lands"Wi