Mandela Barnes holds a listening session in Wausau. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Mandela Barnes held a listening session in Wausau on Thursday, focused on healthcare and the unrest in Minneapolis.
The former Lieutenant Governor said issues like healthcare shouldn’t be partisan. “Unfortunately, it’s been made partisan by Republicans in the Legislature and members of Congress. They have chosen time and time again to vote against the interests of their constituents.”
He says he doesn’t think you will find many Republicans who are satisfied with the current healthcare system, adding that anyone, regardless of political affiliation, can be hit with an unexpected medical bill. “You will find people who vote Republican who have delt with a medical bankruptcy. That’s a problem.”
Those participating in the roundtable included Marathon County Supervisors Ann Lemmer and Yee Leng Xiong, who is also running for State Treasurer.
The discussion was announced as a healthcare roundtable, but the group started by giving their thoughts on the events in Minneapolis, where ICE agents have shot two people in the last few weeks, killing one. Barnes says he doesn’t think the strategies being employed in the Twin Cities are the way to go, saying masked agents conducting raids can make people “feel less safe.
“People don’t want to see this chaos. People want to live a normal life. If a person has committed a violent crime, of course, get that person out of the community. But folks who have not committed a crime, productive members of a community being taken away- that does not sit well.”
Barnes is one of a handful of Democratic candidates looking to take over after Tony Evers steps down next January. Others include current Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez, former WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes, and Legislators Kelda Roys and Francesca Hong.
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