Barnes campaign: Talks middle class roots and lowering costs in first campaign ad

MADISON — Today, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, candidate for U.S. Senate, unveiled “Milk,” the first television ad of his campaign.

More than half of lawmakers in Congress are millionaires like Ron Johnson who don’t share the experience of working families and the middle class who are struggling with rising costs.

“Milk” highlights how Mandela is not like the millionaires in the Senate. He has a firsthand understanding of the challenges working families face and a decade-long track record of fighting for those families in Wisconsin.

This is the first ad in a multi-million dollar ad campaign that will begin in Milwaukee on broadcast, cable, and digital and expand throughout the state as the primary continues.

“I don’t come from a wealthy or a well-connected family. I’m the proud product of a middle class, union household and I’m running for the Senate to fight for middle class and working families who have been left behind,” said Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, candidate for U.S. Senate. “We need leaders in Washington who understand what we’re going through, not more multi-millionaires who’ve never walked in our shoes. I know what it’s like to struggle with rising costs and worry about paying the bills — that’s why I’ll never stop fighting to ensure that everyone in Wisconsin has a fair shot at the American dream.”

Read a transcript of the ad below.

Most Senators couldn’t tell you the cost of a gallon of milk. Or how much beef has gone up this year.

But I’m not like most Senators, or any of the other millionaires running for Senate.

My mom was a teacher, my dad worked third shift.

I know how hard you’re working, and I know that by bringing manufacturing home, we create jobs and we lower costs.

If we want to change Washington, we’ve got to change the people we send there.

I’m Mandela Barnes, and I approve this message.

About Mandela Barnes 

Mandela Barnes’ story is a Wisconsin story. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mandela is the proud son of a union household running for the U.S. Senate to give every Wisconsinite a fair shot at the American Dream. From his days as an organizer to his work in the State Assembly and as Wisconsin’s first Black Lieutenant Governor, Mandela has consistently put in the work to connect with every community across Wisconsin. When it comes to supporting family farms, Main Streets, workers, and unions across the state, Wisconsinites know they can count on Mandela Barnes to go to bat for them because he understands the challenges they face firsthand. In the Senate, Mandela will fight to bring good-paying jobs back to Wisconsin and to expand opportunities for the middle class. 

Mandela is proud to have earned the endorsement of Democratic Party leaders including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, former NARAL President Ilyse Hogue, and over 130 state and local elected officials in Wisconsin.