2022 Wisconsin Senate Voters Guide
Mandela Barnes (D) vs Ron Johnson (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Supports Women’s Health Protection Act to codify abortion protections. “Abortion is health care. The right to choose is fundamental.”
Ban, but says it’s an issue for each state. Won’t commit to a new proposed national ban on abortions at 15 weeks, but has cosponsored six 20-week federal bans, most recently in 2021. Supported overturning Roe v. Wade and bans at 15 and 20 weeks.
Yes. “We need bold, powerful action to address climate change that breathes new life into our manufacturing industry.” Supports the Inflation Reduction Act, including $369 billion in renewable energy incentives.
No. Has called climate change “bullshit.” “I am not a climate change denier, but I also am not a climate change alarmist. Climate… has always changed and always will change.” Voted against Inflation Reduction Act, which includes renewable energy incentives.
Increase. Supports Infrastructure Act, bipartisan federal legislation that “would invest billions in critical infrastructure for Wisconsin.” Supports Made in America Act, which would require federal contracts to use American goods and services.
Mostly decrease. Would cut federal spending. Make all federal spending, including Social Security and Medicare, subject to yearly evaluations and adjustments. Voted against 2021 Infrastructure Act. In 2018 supported state investment in a new Foxconn plant in Wisconsin.
Regarding racism, “We have to teach the reality” of U.S. power and prosperity coming from “forced labor on stolen land.” Supports the Equality Act, including banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in education.
Parents should “have control over what is taught to their children.” Opposes “teaching wokeness,” which he has blamed for school shootings.
Yes. Calls claims that Donald Trump won the 2020 election “the big lie.”
Unclear. Said election was legitimate, but held a Senate hearing to discuss voter fraud after the Electoral College confirmed Biden. Called for an audit of the election, and his chief of staff tried to deliver to VP Mike Pence a slate of fake-electors backing Trump.
Tighten. As Wisconsin lieutenant governor, is “proud to be part of an administration that has proposed legislation to establish drinking water standards and fund critical cleanup.”
Loosen. Opposes new National Environmental Policy Act regulations because they place a burden on building projects.
Yes. Supports Medicaid expansion. “I believe everyone should have access to quality health care.” Supported more COVID relief funding. Supported a mask mandate in January 2021.
No. Has called health care “more of a privilege” than a right. Supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which features Medicaid expansion. Has questioned COVID vaccine safety. Supported ivermectin as a COVID treatment, despite FDA disapproval.
Easier. Supports the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would increase protections for “employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace.”
Harder. Cosponsored the Employee Rights Act, which offers “protections against union coercion” and “counters” the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
Expand. Will “fight to…make sure that LGBTQ people have equal rights.” Supports the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Limit. Opposes the Respect for Marriage Act, which would protect same-sex marriage, after saying in July 2022 that he saw “no reason to oppose it.” Opposes transgender women using women’s bathrooms and playing women’s sports.
No recent position found. In 2014 said legalization is a state issue, but he did not personally support it. Since then, has cosponsored bills to end federal banning of industrial hemp and cannabidiol (CBD).
Supports de-escalation training and banning chokeholds, while giving “law enforcement officers what they need to keep us safe.” “The more money we invest in communities, the more opportunity we offer to residents in all parts of our state, the less money we’ll have to spend on police work.”
Supported a 2020 bill to train police and collect data on use of force, with a limited chokehold ban. Said law enforcement is “having trouble recruiting police officers because of the defund police movement.”
Yes, limited relief. Supports proposals to lower costs, “including some student loan relief and a middle class tax cut” and support for technical education.
Less. Supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Supports “pro-growth tax reform.”
No. Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would restore parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supports online, automatic, and same-day voter registration.
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