Mandela Barnes is considering running for Wisconsin lieutenant governor

MADISON - A half-dozen Democrats are running for governor next year — and now former state Rep. Mandela Barnes says he is considering seeking the state’s No. 2 post.

If he runs, Barnes said, he would do everything he could to get minorities and young people to the polls.

“We can’t just expect them to show up,” said Barnes of Milwaukee. “We’ve seen what happens when we just expect them to show up.”

Barnes served in the Assembly from 2013 to January. He unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) in a primary last year. He’s now a deputy director for the State Innovation Exchange, which tries to advance progressive legislation at the state level.

State Republican Party spokesman Alec Zimmerman criticized Barnes for "attacking a man" in a 2015 confrontation with a protester. 

Protester and videographer Miles Kristan turned his camera on Barnes that year and asked him about his vote to put public money toward a new basketball arena for the Milwaukee Bucks. Soon afterward, the two argued face-to-face while Kristan's camera was pointed toward the ground and Barnes' chest. 

The video shows the picture jiggling and Barnes abruptly walking away as Kristan with a gleeful voice yells, "I just got assaulted by a politician; did anybody else see that?" Three people then attest on camera that they saw Barnes push Kristan. 

Barnes said Wednesday he had pushed Kristan's camera away but did not assault him. He said the Republican Party was libeling him and attempting to characterize him as "a scary black man."

"Race-baiting helped get them a president, of course they'll use it to protect a failing governor," he later posted on Twitter, referring to President Donald Trump and Gov. Scott Walker.

Kristan stood by his claim Wednesday that Barnes pushed him.

Kristan has frequently protested Republicans and Democrats alike for not taking what he perceives as progressive stances. He drew attention in 2011 for pouring a beer on the head of state Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester), who is now the Assembly speaker.

The only Democrat registered for the race for lieutenant governor is Robert Louis Slamka of Madison.

A candidate for lieutenant governor will be chosen in the August primary and then paired with the winner of the primary for governor. Among those running for governor are state schools Superintendent Tony Evers; former state Democratic Party Chairman Matthew Flynn; businessman Andy Gronik; government reform advocate Mike McCabe; Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma; and Rep. Dana Wachs of Eau Claire,

Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch are expected to seek re-election.