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Donald Trump’s Washington has put Wisconsinites in a bind. Costs are skyrocketing, gas prices are through the roof, and tariffs are killing small businesses and family farms across the state. 

The deck is stacked in favor of billionaires while working families are left behind—and the ultra-wealthy are buying politicians to keep it that way. 

Mandela Barnes will change that by getting things done the Wisconsin Way.

The Wisconsin Way means bringing down costs, expanding BadgerCare and creating a public option, passing universal childcare, and freezing utility rates so working families across the state can actually make ends meet. 

It means ending the corruption that’s making life more expensive, taking on greedy monopolies, drawing fair congressional maps, and rejecting every dime of corporate PAC money—because the people writing the rules right now are writing them for billionaires, not for Wisconsinites.

With his deep experience as a lawmaker and as the state’s first Black Lt. Governor, Mandela Barnes has unmatched experience and is ready to get to work on day one lowering costs for Wisconsin families.

The Wisconsin way agenda

Tax The Rich To Lower Costs For Wisconsin Families

"Corporate greed is hollowing out Wisconsin—killing family farms, shipping jobs overseas, and leaving working families to foot the bill while out-of-state corporations pay nothing in taxes. 

“The wealthy have gotten away without paying their fair share for far too long. Corporations are making historic sums of wealth. 

“That ends when I become Governor. I will close the loopholes and force wealthy, out-of-state corporations to finally pay their fair share so we can cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses.”

Freeze the Rates

“Wisconsin's utility monopolies rake in some of the highest profit margins in the entire nation while our bills skyrocket. That's not a coincidence. 

“Utility companies have rigged the system to boost their profits and pay for the massive salaries of wealthy executives while Wisconsinites have had to cut back on essentials like food and prescriptions to keep the heat on. 

“As Governor, I will freeze utility rates and take on monopolies like WE Energies who are exploiting ratepayers to line their own pockets.”

Expand BadgerCare, Create Public Option and Forgive Medical Debt

“As Governor, I will expand BadgerCare on Day One and pass a public option. Wisconsin is one of ten states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving thousands of Wisconsinites without access to affordable care. As Governor, I will finally get this done and lower costs for Wisconsin families. By creating a public option, we can let families access the state’s lower-cost BadgerCare plan and bring down costs for every single Wisconsin family.” 

Protect America’s Dairyland

“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland. But for far too long, corporate greed and politicians like Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany have sold out our farms for massive tax giveaways to billionaires and corporate monopolies. 

“With my plan, we will take on the monopolies that are pricing out Wisconsin farmers and killing farms across the state. Family farming is the backbone and heart of this state, and I will do everything I can as Governor to put the needs of farmers first.”

Keeping Wisconsinites Safe

“There is no greater priority as Governor than keeping Wisconsinites safe.

“I grew up in the heart of the 53206 zip code—that’s our nation’s poorest and our state’s most incarcerated. I saw what happens when people don't have opportunity—how it pulls families apart and how it makes people feel unsafe walking to the corner store.

“That's exactly why as Governor, I will fully fund law enforcement and invest in the preventative programs that stop crime before it starts.”

Fully Fund Education and Bring Down Property Taxes

“Republicans like Tom Tiffany spent years in the state legislature voting to underfund public education, and now Wisconsinites are seeing their property taxes skyrocket because of their negligence. 

“Wisconsin taxpayers should not have to pay for the failures of politicians like Tom Tiffany who are out to do the bidding of billionaires. 

“As Governor, I will clean up their mess by fully funding our public schools and providing real property tax relief directly to families.”

Bringing Down Childcare Costs

“Childcare is broken in Wisconsin—and we're on the verge of a full collapse.

"Every childcare center struggles to retain staff and keep their doors open, but staff struggle to stay in this field because of a lack of living wages, and centers can't raise wages without raising costs for families.

"There are families who can afford childcare but there are no spots for them at centers in their communities, and there are families who have spots but can't afford it. And now, with the expiration of direct provider payments at the end of June, we could see up to 30% of centers across the state shutter which would leave thousands more families without options.

"We need to fix this broken system by guaranteeing full, comprehensive universal childcare."

make housing more affordable

“Housing costs have exploded in Wisconsin, and buying a home—something that used to be a realistic goal for a working family—now feels completely out of reach. 

“That's shameful, and as Governor, I'll fight to bring those costs down and make homeownership real again by building more homes in every corner of this state.”

Repeal Act 10 & Strengthen Union Rights

“As a state legislator and Lieutenant Governor, I’ve always fought to ensure every worker in Wisconsin has the protections and rights they need to earn a fair paycheck and provide for their families. 

“There’s nothing I’m prouder of in my career than helping Tony Evers kick Scott Walker out of office after he took a chainsaw to Wisconsin unions.

“As Governor, I’m going to finish the job and restore the rights stripped away under Scott Walker—including repealing Act 10 and ensuring that every union in our state has the full right to organize and collectively bargain.”

Redraw Wisconsin’s Broken Congressional Maps And Unrig Our Democracy

“Since day one of this campaign, I’ve publicly supported redrawing Wisconsin’s congressional maps. We are a 50-50 state, yet our congressional delegation is six to two. 

“That’s not how democracy works, and as Trump continues to rig maps across the country, it is time Wisconsin finally unrigs our maps.”

Protect Wisconsin’s Environment & Public Lands

"Wisconsin has some of the most beautiful natural treasures in the country—the Apostle Islands, Devil's Lake, the Northwoods, the Driftless Area. These are the places where we fish, hunt, and where generations of Wisconsin families have made memories.

"We have a responsibility to protect them. That means making sure every family has access to clean, safe drinking water. It means keeping our forests, wetlands, and public lands intact for future generations. And it means restoring the investments in conservation that have made this state great."

Ban AI Price Gouging

"Billionaires and greedy corporations are using AI to rip off Wisconsin families. Insurers are using AI to deny healthcare claims and raise premiums. 

“Large grocers like WalMart are setting  different prices for the same goods based on your Internet history

“These companies are getting away with this because they’re buying politicians—but they can’t buy me. In my nearly two decades in politics, I’ve never taken a dime in corporate PAC money, and as Governor I’m going after every greedy corporation that thinks they can scam Wisconsinites.” 


Repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban

“Wisconsin’s draconian, 1849 abortion ban will be repealed when I am Governor. This is deeply personal for me: my mother had an emergency abortion to save her life. 

“Despite his best attempts to hide it, we know what Tom Tiffany would do as governor—ban abortion statewide. 

“When the government overreaches and attacks women’s healthcare, they put women’s lives at risk. I’ll stand up to protect reproductive freedom and keep women safe in Wisconsin. ”

Legalize Recreational Marijuana

“I’ve fought for the legalization of marijuana since I was a state legislator. As Governor, Wisconsin will finally join our neighboring states in legalizing recreational marijuana and build a regulatory framework for how the industry can operate in Wisconsin. 

“That means having strong and transparent rules, keeping the product safe and out of the hands of minors, and going after bad actors. 

“All tax revenue will go to fully funding our public schools and lowering the cost of childcare.”

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