In his first TV ads, U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes focuses on milk, beef and millionaires

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes appears in his first TV ad in his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes appears in his first TV ad in his campaign for U.S. Senate.
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Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is trying to stand out in a field of millionaires as he runs for U.S. Senate.

So, in his first TV ad that launches Wednesday, Barnes talks about the price of groceries.

"Most Senators couldn’t tell you the cost of a gallon of milk. Or how much beef has gone up this year," Barnes says in the ad as he pushes a cart through a grocery store. "But I’m not like most Senators, or any of the other millionaires running for Senate."

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is a multi-millionaire, as are Barnes' Democratic rivals, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry.

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"My mom was a teacher, my dad worked third shift," Barnes says in the 30-second ad. "I know how hard you’re working, and I know that by bringing manufacturing home, we create jobs and we lower costs. If we want to change Washington, we’ve got to change the people we send there."

The Barnes campaign said this was the first spot in a multi-million dollar advertising campaign beginning in Milwaukee on broadcast, cable and digital and expanding throughout the state ahead of the Aug. 9 Democratic primary.

The ad campaign comes with polling showing a tightening race as Democratic rivals rolled out their ad campaigns earlier

More: For months, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes was the presumed front-runner in the Democratic U.S. Senate race. Now, it's a tight battle.

Lasry began advertising last fall, while Godlewski released her first ad in March. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson ran a spot during a Milwaukee Bucks game.

Johnson began advertising in January as he announced he was running for a third term.

Outside groups have also poured millions of dollars into the race.

More: Wisconsin U.S. Senate election updates: Sheldon Lubar endorses Steven Olikara

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mandela Barnes ad focuses on milk, beef and millionaires