Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), one of the most progressive members of Congress and a former presidential candidate, endorsed Mandela Barnes in his run for U.S. Senate.
Barnes is locked in a primary battle against other Democrats with the goal to challenge GOP Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) in the November general election.
“As the son of a public school teacher and UAW assembly-line worker, Mandela Barnes knows the struggles of the working class,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (VT). “His agenda advances the interests of working families, not the billionaire class. I’m proud to endorse Mandela because he is the best-positioned progressive candidate who will win both the primary and defeat Ron Johnson in November.”
Barnes has racked up the endorsement of several progressive leaders, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Barnes has backed several similar policies, such as ending the filibuster in the U.S. Senate.
After the endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez, the National Republican Senatorial Committee claimed Barnes believes the “more D.C. liberals the better,” and he would “be a rubber stamp for Biden’s failing agenda that is hurting Wisconsinites.”
“Our campaign is focused on uniting a broad base to defeat Ron Johnson this November, and I’m honored to have Senator Bernie Sanders’ endorsement,” responded Barnes. “The truth is, we have more in common with each other than we do with a pro-outsourcing, anti-jobs, anti-child care multimillionaire like Ron Johnson. Together, we’re going to flip this seat and fight for Wisconsin’s family farmers, small businesses, unions, and working families to have the fair shot they deserve.”
Recent polling from Marquette Law School showed Barnes leading the pack. However, he is followed closely by Alex Lasry. 36 percent of Democrats remain undecided.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mandela Barnes” by Mandela Barnes. Photo “Bernie Sanders” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
