Contact:
Justin Bielinski
T: (414) 208-9283
E: justin@voteforlarson.org
“Mandela is the candidate who can defeat Ron Johnson and deliver for the people of Wisconsin next November.”
Milwaukee, WI – State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) has decided to suspend his campaign for United States Senate effective today. He is endorsing Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes as the candidate voters can most trust to defeat Senator Ron Johnson, deliver for working people in Wisconsin, and fight for bold progressive priorities like Medicare For All, a job-creating Green New Deal, and a wealth tax to make ultra-millionaires pay their fair share.
Statement From Sen. Chris Larson:
“Today I made the decision to suspend my campaign for United States Senate. While I won’t be the candidate who takes on Ron Johnson next fall, I remain as committed as ever to assuring his defeat and electing Democrats who will fight for progressive values up and down the ballot in 2022.
“I’m endorsing Mandela Barnes for Senate. Mandela is the candidate who is best positioned to defeat Ron Johnson and who Wisconsinites can most trust to fight hard in the Senate for bold progressive policies that benefit working families — ideas like Medicare for All, a job-creating Green New Deal to grow Wisconsin’s economy, and paying for big ideas by making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. I know Mandela will never stop fighting to create opportunity for every Wisconsinite. I encourage my supporters to support Mandela, I will do everything I can to ensure he is our nominee, and I will work hard to ensure the Democratic Senate nominee and other Democrats on the ballot are successful in November of 2022. We must do all we can to unrig the system so it works for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy and Wall Street.
“I will continue to work hard in the state Senate to protect public education, expand health coverage, preserve our environment, and restore our democracy. Make no mistake, with today’s Republican Party, all of these things are under serious threat.
“To the thousands of people who supported me in this race: Thank you! I am humbled to have had you at my side. With your time, your resources, and with your words, you helped grow our mandate for bold progressive change. It’s not enough to just be better than Ron Johnson, that’s a low bar, it’s about what we need to do to build a better community, state, and nation where we treat each other as neighbors, not as adversaries. I truly appreciate each and every one of you — and especially Jessica, Atticus, and Stella who have consistently been by my side. It is because of you that I will continue the fight for our shared values in the state Senate and on the campaign trail for Mandela Barnes.”
Statement From Mandela Barnes:
“I want to thank Sen. Larson for his support, and for the values and dedication to the people of Wisconsin that he brings to his work as a public servant. I look forward to working with him, and leaders across the state as we continue our fight for opportunity for every Wisconsin family, regardless of Zip code.
“As I’ve done throughout my career, I’ll fight to bring common sense solutions to the United States Senate like a Medicare for all plan that helps us realize the dream of health care for every American, a green new deal that benefits the people of Wisconsin and creates good jobs right here at home, and ensuring rich corporations and ultra-millionaires finally pay their fair share in taxes, so we can provide tax relief to Wisconsin families who have borne the brunt of the tax burden from Washington for far too long.
“Mine is a uniquely American story. I was born in Milwaukee, in one of the most impoverished and incarcerated Zip codes in the state. A community starved of resources, but brimming with joy, resilience, and hardworking, brilliant people. My mom was a Milwaukee school teacher for 30 years. My 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 me the importance of working hard and fighting for opportunity for everyone.
“It was their example that I brought with me to my work as a State Representative and now as your Lt. Governor – working to build a better future for every single Wisconsinite.
“Wisconsin has a proud history. We were the birthplace of the Progressive Movement, an early leader in the fight for labor rights, the first to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, and the first to pass statewide protections for LGBTQ individuals. In the Senate — fighting alongside Tammy Baldwin — I will work to continue that proud tradition and create opportunities for every Wisconsinite.”
