Mandela Barnes, a 36-year-old Democrat, served as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. Prior to this role, he held the position of the 11th Circuit state representative from 2013 to 2017, making history as Wisconsin’s first African-American lieutenant governor. There is no available information on Mandela Barnes’ marital status, indicating that, as of now, he is not married.
Mandela Barnes
Mandela Barnes, a member of the Democratic Party, held the position of the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. Before assuming this role, he represented the 11th district as a state representative from 2013 to 2017. Notably, Mandela Barnes made history as the first African American to be elected as Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor. Additionally, he was the Democratic nominee in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Wisconsin but faced defeat to the incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson.
Mandela Barnes Wife: Is Mandela Barnes Married?
Mandela Barnes, a 36-year-old politician, has no known marital status as there is no information available about his wife. Consequently, it can be inferred that he is not married.
Mandela Barnes Biography
Born in Milwaukee on December 1, 1986, Mandela Barnes is the son of Jesse, a public school teacher and member of the United Auto Workers Union. His middle name, Mandela, pays homage to Nelson Mandela, the iconic anti-apartheid activist and South Africa’s inaugural black president. Mandela Barnes has carried his middle name since birth, and his full name is J. Mandela Barnes.
Mandela Barnes received his education at Holy Redeemer Christian Academy in Milwaukee, later attending Milwaukee Public Schools, including John Marshall High School. He further pursued his studies at Alabama A&M University. During his school days, he was an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Barnes credits Barack Obama’s keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention for inspiring a reevaluation of his post-college career path.
In August 2019, it was revealed that Mandela Barnes did not formally complete his bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Alabama A&M University as previously stated. The incomplete course completion was attributed to “minor technical issues.” However, he successfully resolved an open study issue with the university and officially graduated with a major in Communication Media, specializing in Performance, on May 1, 2020.
Mandela Barnes Career
Mandela Barnes has been actively involved in various political campaigns and served in the office of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Over time, he advanced to become the organizer of M.I.C.A.H., an interfaith coalition in Milwaukee dedicated to social justice. From December 2016 to December 2017, Barnes held the position of Associate of Strategic Engagement at the State Innovation Exchange, a progressive public policy organization based in Madison.
In April 2012, Mandela Barnes declared his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 11th congressional district, representing areas north of Milwaukee and parts of Wauwatosa. He contested the Democratic primary against incumbent Jason Fields. Barnes’ campaign centered on endorsing Fields’ school voucher program while opposing interest rate caps for short-term lenders that could exceed 500% annually.
Mandela Barnes secured victory over Fields in the August 2012 primary, receiving 2,596 votes compared to Fields’s 1,206. In the November general election, he ran unopposed and garnered 16,403 votes, while others received 201 votes. As a state legislator in 2013, Barnes sponsored a bill aiming to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He was reelected in 2014 without facing a primary or general election challenge.
In January 2018, Barnes declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in the 2018 election. He achieved success in the Wisconsin Democratic Party straw ballot in June 2018, securing 80.9% of the vote with 617 out of 763 votes. Despite facing challenges, such as his name being omitted from bulletins in three newspapers across two counties during the primary election, Barnes continued to persevere. A day before the election, his photo was mistakenly used in a local news report about a fatal motorcycle accident.
Mandela Barnes: The Chairman of The Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change
In October 2019, Mandela Barnes was appointed as the chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change. The task force, under his leadership, released a comprehensive report in December 2020, presenting 55 policy recommendations aimed at addressing climate change in the state. Additionally, during the 2020 Democratic National Convention held in Milwaukee, Barnes played a prominent role as the vice chair of both the convention and the hosting committee.
On July 20, 2021, Mandela Barnes declared his candidacy for the 2022 US Senate election, aiming to challenge Ron Johnson for the seat. Initially the eighth person in the Democratic nomination race, by July 29, 2022, all significant competitors withdrew in support of Barnes, solidifying his position as the Democratic nominee.
Identifying as a progressive, Mandela Barnes has aligned himself with progressive values. In both the 2016 and 2020 Wisconsin presidential primaries, he cast his vote for Bernie Sanders.
Mandela Barnes Age
Born on December 1, 1986, Mandela Barnes is currently 36 years old. Additionally, he is reported to be 6’1″ tall.
Mandela Barnes Family
Mandela Barnes, the son of a public school teacher named Jesse and a member of the United Auto Workers, has a middle name, Mandela, in honor of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist and first black president of South Africa.
Regarding his family, Mandela Barnes has not disclosed much information. Consequently, it remains uncertain whether he has siblings, is an only child, or has a family of his own at this time.
What Office does Mandela Barnes Hold Now?
As of now, Mandela Barnes is not holding any political office. He previously served as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was also the 11th Circuit state representative from 2013 to 2017. Notably, Barnes made history as the first African-American governor of Wisconsin to serve as lieutenant governor.
Mandela Barnes Net Worth
Mandela Barnes has maintained a private stance on his personal life and income. Consequently, his actual net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, estimates suggest that he is worth between $1 to $7 million.
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