Mandela Barnes

Controversial Statements & Conduct

• Called President Donald Trump a “Russian spy”
  @LGMandelaBarnes, X, 2/14/17
• Accused police officers working outside their neighborhoods of being an “occupying force.”
  Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, “Mandela Barnes Has Signaled Support For Removing Police Funding And Abolishing ICE – Despite Ad Claiming Otherwise,” CNN, 10/7/22
• Dismissed George Washington’s legacy due to slave ownership
  @TheOtherMandela, X, 12/11/19
• Suggested the 2016 presidential election was “rigged”
  @TheOtherMandela, X, 11/9/16
• Claimed police shooting of Jacob Blake was a “vendetta,” even after prosecutors declined to file charges
  Erin Donaghue, “No Charges For Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake,” CBS News, 1/5/21
  “‘Shot 7 Times In Front Of His Children’: Lt. Governor Of Wis. Says Police Shooting Not An Accident,” NBC Chicago, 8/24/20
• Credibility controversy over education history, acknowledging he did not graduate from Alabama A&M after previously stating he had completed a bachelor’s degree
  Dylan Brogan, “Barnestorming,” Isthmus, 8/8/19
  Molly Beck, “Mandela Barnes Said Months Ago He ‘Finished’ College But Now Says He Didn’t Graduate,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/8/19

Crime & Policing

• Supported defunding and rerouting police funding, repeatedly arguing resources should be shifted away from law enforcement
  Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, “Mandela Barnes Has Signaled Support For Removing Police Funding And Abolishing ICE – Despite Ad Claiming Otherwise,” CNN, 10/7/22
  Daniel Bice, “Bice: Mandela Barnes Distances Self From Increasingly Unpopular, Left-Wing Defund Police And Abolish ICE Movements,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/15/22
• Introduced legislation to eliminate cash bail in Wisconsinand later supported abolishing cash bail nationally
  AB 981, Wisconsin State Assembly, 2015-2016 Legislature, 3/10/16
  Daniel Bice, “Bice: U.S. Senate Candidate Mandela Barnes Favors Eliminating Cash Bail Nationally, Aide Says,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/21/22

Illegal Immigration

• Expressed support for abolishing ICE, including soliciting Democratic Socialists of America “Abolish ICE” merchandise
  Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, “Mandela Barnes Has Signaled Support For Removing Police Funding And Abolishing ICE – Despite Ad Claiming Otherwise,” CNN, 10/7/22
  Daniel Bice, “Bice: Mandela Barnes Distances Self From Increasingly Unpopular, Left-Wing Defund Police And Abolish ICE Movements,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/15/22

Abortion Extremist

• Supported abortion access through all nine months of pregnancy, refusing to support limits after fetal viability
  John McCormack, “Mandela Barnes Admits He Backs Abortion Through All Nine Months Of Pregnancy,” National Review, 10/10/22
• Called for ending the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade
  Rich Kremer, “Democratic US Senate Candidates Call For Ending Filibuster To Restore Federal Abortion Protections,” Wisconsin Public Radio, 6/26/22

Second Amendment Critic

• Stated he “could not care less” about the Second Amendment, while backing gun manufacturer liability and bans on firearms
  @TheOtherMandela, X, 7/13/13
  Jessie Opoien, “What Wisconsin’s 2022 Candidates Say They Will Do To Prevent Gun Violence,” The Cap Times, 5/27/22

Climate Craziness

• Chaired Governor Evers’ Climate Change Task Force, which produced recommendations calling for sweeping structural transformations of society and the economy
  Scott Bauer, “Wisconsin Climate Task Force Releases Its Recommendations,” Associated Press, 12/1/20
  “Governor’s Task Force On Climate Change Report,” State Of Wisconsin, 12/2020
• Supported Green New Deal–style policies, including net-zero carbon emissions mandates by 2050
  Bill Glaubner and Patrick Marley, “Chris Larson Suspends Democratic U.S. Senate Campaign, Endorses Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/3/21