Today, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, released ‘Think,’ a new ad slamming Ron Johnson for supporting a plan that would raise taxes on the middle class, all while his business and family’s trust paid zero state income taxes for several years. Johnson also used his position to push through tax breaks he admitted benefitted himself and his biggest donors. The ad is a part of a multi-million dollar ad campaign on broadcast, cable, and digital throughout the state.
Ron Johnson has worked throughout his time in the Senate to ensure that the wealthy have a separate set of rules from working class Wisconsinites. His former business and family’s multimillion dollar trust haven’t paid state income taxes since 2013 and 2016 respectively, using tax provisions that disproportionately benefited the wealthy. In addition, Johnson pushed a tax provision through the 2017 tax bill that directly benefited himself and two of his wealthiest donors. Through the added provision, his donors were able to save millions of dollars in tax deductions while working Wisconsinites struggle. While rigging the tax code in a way that benefited himself and his donors, Johnson supported a plan that would raise taxes on 32 percent of Wisconsinites.
Read a transcript of ‘Think’ below.
“I’m Mandela Barnes and I approve this message.”
“27 News has obtained new information about Senator Ron Johnson’s tax records.”
“Ron Johnson’s company paid no state income tax for 7 years.”
“And his family trust fund? No state taxes since 2016.”
“In the Senate, Johnson wrote a loophole that gave huge tax cuts to himself and his biggest donors.”
“And while our costs are rising, he supports a plan that would raise taxes on the middle class.”
“Ron Johnson looks out for himself, not us.”
