WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Another candidate for Wisconsin’s 2022 U.S. Senate seat made a stop in Central Wisconsin this week.
Friday morning, current Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate hopeful Mandela Barnes made a stop at Wausau’s Whitewater Music Hall and Brew Works. At the morning stop in Wausau, Barnes held a roundtable discussion with Mayor Katie Rosenberg and local residents regarding high-speed internet access and local infrastructure.
Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes talks with Wausau residents before a roundtable on broadband and infrastructure at Whitewater Music Hall and Brew Works. (MWC file photo by Liz Holbrook)
Barnes said of the stop in Wausau that he wanted to hear stories from those in Central Wisconsin. “I want to hear ideas. I want to hear the challenges because it makes it much more real when we can carry those stories to try and convince other decision-makers about the communities that have been left behind. I also expect to hear some of the ways that people have still been able to overcome.
“I mean there are some really heartbreaking and stressful stories. You saw pictures of people during the pandemic, children sitting outside a fast food restaurant with their wireless devices just trying to get a signal. I mean that’s the unfortunate reality that we’re in right now. But we still have to tell those stories to as many people so that they’ll finally act.”
And many stories were shared with Barnes during the roundtable on Friday that lasted for just over two hours. While the focus of the roundtable was on infrastructure, community members touched on several issues like healthcare, diversity, criminal justice reform, and the urban and rural divide.
Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate hopeful Mandela Barnes at a roundtable with Wausau residents about broadband and infrastructure. (MWC file photo by Liz Holbrook)
A consensus of the roundtable was that broadband is no longer a luxury in Wisconsin but is a necessity as it impacts almost every aspect of life. The group talked about broadband access being needed for things like work, education, healthcare, law services, and even other basic services.
Right now though, Barnes says one of the most prevalent problems with broadband expansion is the speed of getting technology to rural areas. “It’s about innovation and taking advantage of the opportunities that are in front of us. And I’ve had other conversations yesterday when I was in Eau Claire with a couple of people that had mentioned. One of the providers in the area got a grant and they are going to be laying the wire very soon this summer. Within the next couple of months, they’re going to be up and running.
“But the problem is, like how long are we expecting people to wait? We want to get this done as fast as possible. But we know that it’s a resources conversation and for too long many rural communities have been forgotten about. And rural broadband isn’t a reality because of that fact.”
Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate hopeful Mandela Barnes speaks at a roundtable on broadband and infrastructure at Whitewater Music Hall and Brew Works in Wausau (MWC file photo by Liz Holbrook)
Friday’s stop was Barnes first after announcing his candidacy for Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday. When speaking about his candidacy, Barnes says his hope is to connect people from across the state, no matter who they are. “I hope to connect with as many people as possible. That’s what I’ve been doing during my time as Lieutenant Governor. Connecting with communities all across the state, making sure that we connect the issues, making sure that we do our best job to unite the state.
“Because for far too long, people have tried to divide us. And they’ve used these false choices, these false narratives that pit urban versus rural. But you know, we’re all being challenged. That’s the thing about this. And we’ve spent so much time all across Wisconsin, I was very deliberate about making sure we got to all 72 counties in our first year.
“I’m glad we did it in the first year because the second year was a little bit different. We intended to do it twice but obviously we’re not able to due to the constraints of the pandemic. However with this campaign, I hope to talk about not only the challenges but a vision. A path forward for all of us in Wisconsin.”
Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate hopeful Mandela Barnes takes a selfie with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg following a roundtable discussion on broadband and infrastructure at Whitewater Music Hall and Brew Works. (MWC file photo by Liz Holbrook)
Barnes is just one of eight candidates vying for the Democratic nomination next August. Some of his current opponents include Milwaukee Bucks Senior Vice President Alex Lasry, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson. He says his current experience as Lieutenant Governor makes him the most qualified candidate for the job.
“I am proud to come into this race as the most qualified and the most experienced candidate in the race. Having been to all 72 counties, having had the tough conversations and having been a part of the hard work that takes place through the process of governing.”
The primary for Wisconsin’s 2022 Senate seat is set for August of 2022. Along with his stop in Wausau, Barnes also made a campaign stop in Green Bay at the Brown County Central Library.
