Mandela Barnes makes first stop in Northeast Wisconsin as part of race for Governor’s seat

ALLOUEZ (WLUK) — A candidate in the Wisconsin governor’s race stumped in the Green Bay area for the first time Wednesday.

Following the launch of his gubernatorial campaign, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is hitting the road for his “Wisconsin Way” tour. It’s a statewide effort he says will discuss how rising costs are affecting Wisconsin families, farmers and small businesses.

At Coffee Wizardz in Allouez, Barnes was joined by Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, State Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Dr. Kristen Lyerly, as well as health care providers, patients and students, for a roundtable conversation about increasing health care costs impacting Northeast Wisconsin families.

If elected, Barnes said on day one as governor, he will call a special session to expand BadgerCare. He has vowed to veto any state budget that doesn’t include this measure to bring down health care costs for Wisconsinites.

“We are one of nine states that has yet to expand our Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. It’s a travesty, and too many people in our state are being left behind,” Barnes said in an interview with FOX 11.

Barnes is the seventh Democratic candidate running to replace Governor Tony Evers. The current lieutenant governor, Sara Rodriguez, was the first Democrat to announce her candidacy. Others running include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; State Sen. Kelda Roys; State Rep. Francesca Hong and former state economic development director Missy Hughes.