Since launching his campaign for Governor, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes has been crisscrossing the state on his “Wisconsin Way” tour, a statewide effort to discuss how rising costs are affecting Wisconsin families, farmers, and small businesses.
This weekend, Lt. Governor Barnes traveled to Chippewa, Douglas, and Ashland counties to hear directly from voters who are feeling the pain of rising costs due to Tiffany and Trump and highlight his plans as Governor to make life more affordable.
In Chippewa County, Lt. Governor Barnes heard from a farmer insured through the Affordable Care Act whose monthly premium “was set to climb from $274 to $1,609.” The farmer tore up the bill, threw it away, and will now go uninsured.
Despite the fact that farmers and families across his own congressional district will see their health insurance costs skyrocket, Tom Tiffany still chose to do the bidding of Donald Trump and voted to not extend the ACA credits.
Read more below:
Eau Claire Leader Telegram: Former Lt. Gov. Barnes meets with farmers in Cadott
[Chris Vetter, 1/9/2026]
“You hear so many heartbreaking stories,” Barnes said. “People just want to be respected and compensated for the work they are doing. That’s not happening. I want to bring these stories to life.”
Barnes added: “It’s important to have a governor who is going to be a champion for rural Wisconsin. It’s important to have a governor who will take time to listen.” […]
Danielson noted that a number of farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare, for their insurance, and that most farmers are seeing their rates spike. Morfoot responded that his premium was set to climb from $274 to $1,609. He said he tore it up and threw it away, and will not have insurance.
“I can’t afford it,” Morfoot said.
Barnes responded, “That’s my day one priority (if elected), is Medicaid expansion.” He added he would look at ways for a public option for Badgercare. He noted that U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Minocqua), who is also running for governor, voted days earlier against a three-year expansion of insurance tax credits.
“Is Tom Tiffany truly listening? He’s put our small family farmer on the back burner again,” Barnes said.
He also asked farmers about tax credits to help them invest in upgrading their farming operations, and to shift some of the tax burden in the state.
“The bulk of that tax relief needs to come here, to family farms and small businesses,” Barnes said.
WQOW (ABC Eau Claire): Gubernatorial Candidate Mandela Barnes focuses on farming affordability during campaign stop
[Sam Fristed, 1/9/2026]
Barnes visited a family farm in Cadott during his ‘Wisconsin Way’ tour. He met with local farmers for a roundtable discussion to hear what issues are impacting them.
Some common topics included rising agricultural costs and federal tariffs impacting their bottom line. Barnes said one of his campaign goals is making Wisconsin affordable for people in agriculture. He explained these roundtable discussions are important to his campaign.
“I think we also need to be innovative in the way that we approach farming. I think that Wisconsin has a tremendous opportunity to do so. We feed the world, we build the world and it’s important that farmers are also a part of the conversation,” Barnes said.
He said one innovative policy he would support is the creation of new agricultural markets that benefit local economies across the state. He argues this would lessen the burden for farmers across Wisconsin.
Barnes said one solution is examining shifting tax loopholes that allows out of state companies to not pay their share of taxes.
WDIO (ABC Duluth/Superior): Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes attends roundtable discussion in Superior
[Mary Skorich, 1/10/2026]
Mandela Barnes, former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor and current candidate for governor, visited Superior on Saturday to discuss rising healthcare costs and limited options, highlighting Medicaid expansion as a key campaign focus.
Barnes pointed out that Wisconsin is one of nine states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and blames the Republican opposition for the lack of progress.
He committed to prioritizing Medicaid expansion if elected, saying, “I’ve committed to not signing a state budget that does not include BadgerCare expansion. People all across Wisconsin, rural, suburban, urban, or otherwise, Democrats and Republicans alike deserve to have lower healthcare costs.”
WEAU (NBC Eau Claire): Mandela Barnes Meets With Local Farmers
Anchor: “Democratic governor candidate Mandela Barnes visited rural Cadott today to speak with farmers about the impacts of federal policy on their business. Many farmers said they are struggling with federal tariffs, even after President Trump’s farming bailout.”
KQDS (Fox Duluth/Superior): Mandela Barnes visits Superior during ‘Wisconsin Way’ Tour
[Emmaleah Allen, 1/11/26]
Former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes visited Superior over the weekend to host a roundtable discussion with local leaders and health care providers about rising health care costs.
This discussion is part of Barnes’ Wisconsin Way’ tour, which he began after launching his 2026 campaign for Governor. Barnes says he is looking to expand BadgerCare to lower costs, increase coverage, and give Wisconsin families, farmers, and small businesses better access to affordable care.
I haven’t met too many people who think it’s incredibly easy to afford health care,” said Barnes. “This is a huge problem for people. It’s a significant cost that limits people’s ability to have discretionary income or to pay for other necessities, and health insurance is a cost that unfortunately continues to rise.”
