July 20, 2021
Contact: Madison White
(702) 513-5128
mwhite@democracyforamerica.com
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA ENDORSES
MANDELA BARNES
FOR UNITED STATES SENATE IN WISCONSIN
(Vermont) — Democracy for America (DFA) endorses Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin ahead of the highly-anticipated 2022 contested race for Sen. Ron Johnson’s seat. A Milwaukee native, Mandela has spent the last decade serving Wisconsinites – first in the State Assembly, then as the state’s first Black Lieutenant Governor.
Mandela was born in one of the state’s most impoverished and incarcerated Zip Codes, a community starved of resources but brimming with joy, resilience, and hardworking, brilliant people. His mom was a school teacher in Milwaukee for 30 years. His dad worked 3rd shift at the General Motors plant. They were both active union members organizing for better wages and defending workers’ rights. Their example showed him the importance of working hard and fighting for opportunity for everyone.
They also taught him we can’t settle for what is, we have to reach for what can be. Mandela is running for the United States Senate because he knows that when things get tough, we shouldn’t lower our expectations. Instead of changing our dreams, Mandela knows we need to change the game.
“Democracy for America has long been a supporter of Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes for the simple reason that he is the candidate that has answered the call, and has put in the work across the state of Wisconsin,” said Chief Political Officer, Chris Scott. “Mandela is a progressive not just in name, but in track record – he has devoted his life to fighting for our families and it shows.”
“Mandela is ready to go to the mat on issues like criminal justice reform, climate justice, and ending gun violence because he knows the pain and suffering they inflict firsthand. Just as this Senate run is a natural progression in Mandela’s lifelong pursuit of activism and community-building, it’s a no-brainer that DFA would jump in on day one to back this progressive powerhouse.”
“I’m so proud to have the support of Democracy for America in our campaign to bring progressive leadership to the United States Senate,” said Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. “DFA is a people-powered, activist organization that has always shown a steadfast dedication to empowering working people and communities that have been left behind. With their support, and with the support of communities in every corner of Wisconsin, we can create a movement centered on justice, beat Ron Johnson in November, and build the future we know is possible.”
This is DFA’s fourth U.S. Senate endorsement for 2022 (previous endorsements include Charles Booker (KY), Cheri Beasley (NC), and Malcolm Kenyatta (PA) – and is part of the organization’s strategy to expand the Democrat’s narrow majority in Congress and build progressive power in the Senate. Democracy for America has 32,648 members in the state of Wisconsin, and more than a million members nationwide.