US Senate candidate Barnes 'Working for Wisconsin' tour in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Tuesday, Aug. 9, and a day later, he spoke in Milwaukee's Deer District as part of his "Working for Wisconsin" tour.

Barnes described the tour as a week-long, statewide swing to highlight issues and talk to voters. 

He said his campaign is about rebuilding the middle class and giving everyone a fair shot at the American dream. 

The Democratic Senate nominee is running against Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson in November.

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Johnson says Democrats are out-of-touch with the economic reality of hard-working Americans, and he says he wants to put America back onto the path of freedom and prosperity. 

"Ron Johnson doesn’t represent us because he doesn’t get us. Doesn’t know what life’s like on the other side. Doesn’t know what work is on third shift," Barnes said.

"That’s just not true," said Ben Voelkle, Johnson advisor. "Ron Johnson worked in a factory 12 hour shifts, morning and night to build a company."

Barnes said Johnson is out-of-touch and selfish. 

"Ron has fought for businesses all across the state, secured tax breaks that Mandela wants to take away because the lieutenant governor doesn’t know what it takes to build a business, to grow a business and have that business thrive and create jobs across the community," said Voelkle. 

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin)

Barnes coasted to a primary election win after his top contenders all bowed out of the race.

In a 10-minute speech on election night, Barnes focused on family and growing up in Milwaukee. He said he doesn’t fit the bill of a normal politician, but said that’s a good thing because changing the people you send to Washington changes Washington.