Mandela Barnes gains major environmental endorsement in Wisconsin Democratic primary
Mandela Barnes, a candidate in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, has received an environmental endorsement from the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund. His campaign platform focuses on lowering utility costs and expanding clean energy, addressing concerns partly driven by data center construction. Barnes pledges to freeze utility rates and hold "greedy utility monopolies" accountable.
Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, secured a significant endorsement from the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund on May 26. The endorsement highlights Barnes' commitment to environmental policy, which aims to reduce utility costs for Wisconsinites by expanding cleaner and cheaper energy, thereby addressing concerns fueled in part by data center construction and rising energy prices.
Jed Ober, managing director of NRDC Action Fund, praised Barnes as a proven advocate against the climate crisis and for lowering costs for working families. Barnes himself stated his intent to combat a system rigged for "greedy utility monopolies," vowing to freeze utility rates, reduce costs for families and businesses, and create union jobs across Wisconsin if elected.
During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Barnes chaired Gov. Tony Evers’ task force on climate change. Following his time in office, he established Forward Together WI, an organization focused on implementing the Inflation Reduction Act within Wisconsin to help homeowners leverage federal tax credits for energy savings. This latest endorsement adds to a growing list of supporters, including U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, and comes as recent polls indicate Barnes is ahead in the Democratic primary race.