(The Center Square) – Mandela Barnes is entering a crowded race for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor.
The former lieutenant governor ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and lost to Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.
Barnes was lieutenant governor under Gov. Tony Evers from 2019 to 2023.
Barnes’ campaign announcement focused on Presisdent Donald Trump, saying that Trump has focused on distraction and a lack of accountability while lowering taxes for billionaires and raising taxes for working families.
“The only way for our state to move forward is to reject the Washington way and get things done the Wisconsin way,” Barnes said in a campaign announcement video. “It isn’t about left or right. It’s not about who can yell the loudest. It’s about whether people can afford to live in the state they call home.”
Other Democrats in the race include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, State Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes and former state Rep. Brett Hulsey.
Republicans in the race for governor include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann.
“Mandela Barnes is a dangerous far-left extremist who wants to defund the police, end cash bail, and abolish federal law enforcement,” Tiffany said. “The fact that he is the Democrat frontrunner shows just how radical and out of touch the party has become. Wisconsinites rejected him in 2022, and they will do it again in 2026.”
