“He has a robust stance on Medicare for All,” stated Andre Walton, govt director of Our Wisconsin Revolution, of Nelson. “He’s a really staunch ally for the labor motion, and his stance on environmental coverage is extraordinarily sturdy. He believes within the Inexperienced New Deal.”
Walton stated that Barnes didn’t fill out a questionnaire from his group, and that made him ineligible for the endorsement. Regardless of not submitting the shape, Barnes attended a Senate candidate discussion board held by Our Wisconsin Revolution.
Requested for remark for this story, Barnes spokesperson Madeline McDaniel stated, “Mandela is proud to be endorsed by greater than 130 native elected officers in Wisconsin, influential native and nationwide teams, and members of Congress from all corners of the Democratic Get together, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Cory Booker to [House] Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.”
Barnes has additionally obtained the help of liberal teams such because the Working Households Get together, Progressive Change Marketing campaign Committee and the Middle for Widespread Democracy Motion.
The snub of Barnes by Our Wisconsin Revolution underscores the tough state of affairs the lieutenant governor faces. He should steadiness the necessity to win over liberal voters within the major whereas getting ready for a basic election in a swing state in opposition to Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, in what is anticipated to be a difficult yr for Democrats.
Barnes not too long ago broke with President Joe Biden on immigration coverage, saying that he disagreed with the administration’s plan to finish the pandemic-era border restriction referred to as Title 42. Earlier than it’s lifted, he stated “we have to have a plan in place to verify we’re holding asylum seekers and folks within the U.S. protected.”
Barnes has additionally distanced himself from left-wing slogans to “abolish ICE” and “defund the police,” regardless of showing open to them previously. And whereas Barnes backs Medicare for All and the Inexperienced New Deal, he has not made them the central focus of his marketing campaign.
Barnes not too long ago launched on an agriculture tour of Wisconsin, the place he talked about insurance policies to assist farmers and “forgotten” communities in rural areas.
Nelson, the Outagamie County govt, obtained the help of almost 78 p.c of voting members of Our Wisconsin Revolution in a ranked-choice course of.
“I’m the confirmed progressive on this race. I’ve persistently championed financial, social and racial justice points, so voters know precisely the place I stand, not like others within the race,” he stated. “I’m the one who persistently champions these progressive points like Medicare for All and Inexperienced New Deal. I’m the one one who opposes Title 42.”
Nelson faces an uphill climb to the nomination. He has struggled with fundraising and has remained caught within the single digits in polls. His political fortunes rely upon Barnes taking a nosedive.
In a Marquette Law School survey launched this week, solely 5 p.c of possible voters stated they have been supporting Nelson. Nineteen p.c backed Barnes, whereas Milwaukee Bucks govt Alex Lasry obtained 16 p.c and state treasurer Sarah Godlewski gained 7 p.c.
Sanders based Our Revolution after his 2016 presidential run. All through the Senate marketing campaign, Nelson has highlighted the truth that he was previously a Sanders presidential delegate.
