Prominent U.S. Senate candidate Alex Lasry dropped out of the Democratic primary, likely setting up a November contest between Mandela Barnes and Republican Senator Ron Johnson.
Lasry, who was the closest opponent to Barnes in recent polling, immediately endorsed the lieutenant governor after suspending his campaign for the position.
“The stakes are just too high to wait. The single best thing we can do for Wisconsin—and for America—is to beat Ron Johnson, and that must start now. Today, I am ending my campaign and endorsing my friend @TheOtherMandela to be the next great Senator from the State of Wisconsin,” Lasry said in a tweet.
The stakes are just too high to wait.
The single best thing we can do for Wisconsin—and for America—is to beat Ron Johnson, and that must start now.
Today, I am ending my campaign and endorsing my friend @TheOtherMandela to be the next great Senator from the State of Wisconsin.
— Alex Lasry (@AlexLasryWI) July 27, 2022
While other candidates remain, no other contender has been able to demonstrate double-digit support. For example, in a Marquette Law poll in late June, Barnes held 25 percent, and Lasry gathered 21 percent of the support. The closest competitor to the two was Sarah Godlewski, who was selected by only 9 percent.
“Together, we are going to beat Ron Johnson. @AlexLasryWI, I’m incredibly grateful for the work you’ve done to support unions, bring good jobs to Wisconsin, and fight for working people – throughout your campaign and your career. I’m honored to have your endorsement,” responded Barnes.
Together, we are going to beat Ron Johnson. @AlexLasryWI, I’m incredibly grateful for the work you’ve done to support unions, bring good jobs to Wisconsin, and fight for working people – throughout your campaign and your career. I’m honored to have your endorsement. pic.twitter.com/8i2pMbpHIp
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) July 27, 2022
In addition to Lasry, Democratic candidate Tom Nelson also recently dropped out of the competition and backed Barnes.
However, Republicans have blasted the Democrat, who has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as “radical.”
“With inflation raging, Wisconsinites are paying more at the pump and at the grocery store. But all Mandela Barnes seems to care about is satisfying the extreme demands of his radical supporters and special interest groups. The Barnes Brigade’s socialist agenda is soft on crime and neglects the issues working families care about. Simply put: Mandela Barnes is too radical for Wisconsin,” the NRSC previously said.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
