KEEP IT GOING leadership in democracy building - Mandela WILL SHOW UP

AUGUST 2, 2022

WISCONSIN || US SENATE RACE - MANDELA BARNES is continuing to "SHOW UP" in the Winner's circle.  His slogan is working for him.  The last two (2) weeks have minted all three Democratic candidates - Tom Nelson, Alex Lasry, and Sandra Godlewski endorsing him.

Mandela Barnes (born December 1, 1986) is an American politician who has served as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Wisconsin State Representative for the 11th district from 2013 to 2017.

    Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is Wisconsin’s first Black lieutenant governor and, at 33, one of the youngest.  He is now 36 years old and a candidate for the US Senate of Wisconsin.

    Before becoming lieutenant governor in 2018, Barnes served in the State Assembly for four years, representing District 11 on Milwaukee’s North Side. He authored legislation on juvenile justice reform, out-of-home care for youth in the foster system, early prison release, expanding victim and witness advocacy services, a community schools grant program and tuition-free enrollment for technical colleges. Off the Cuff spoke with Barnes about his background and Milwaukee.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in the city of Milwaukee, and raised on 26th and Locust. My mother is a retired public school teacher. My father is a retired factory worker at a General Motors subsidiary. Both parents were very active union members throughout my life. Being a part of the middle class, my parents helped me stay in line—especially considering other difficult circumstances around me, whether with my neighbors or classmates. 

    We weren’t rich, but we were able to have a stable foundation. My upbringing offered me the opportunity to go after the things I wanted to go after. In 2003, I graduated from John Marshall High School.

Were there other influences that helped you along on your path?

    Both my parents worked full-time. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They helped shape me. 

    I think about my grandparents’ story. They moved to Milwaukee after my grandad served in World War II, and their moving was for the opportunity. My grandad worked at A.O. Smith. My grandmother worked for MPS. Like so many other people in their generation, Milwaukee was one of the best places for Black people to live at the time. This gave my grandfather a chance to work on an assembly line. He was also a very active union member.  

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 Take time to listen to this interview about Candidate Mandela Barnes.  He shares comments about his growing up as a young African American, his touchstones with the environment-nature outdoors, others in the world, and activism.

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