Group of union leaders endorses Mandela Barnes, touts manufacturing plan

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes secured the endorsement of a dozen union leaders across Wisconsin Thursday.

A coalition of former and current union leaders endorsed Barnes for his Senate bid a week after releasing his "Make it Here" manufacturing agenda.

The plan would fund new research and development tax credits for small and medium-sized businesses and push for new federal regulations for the global shipping industry.

“When it comes to expanding opportunities for good-paying union jobs and revitalizing our communities, there’s no one I trust to get the job done more than Mandela Barnes,” said UAW Local 72 Vice President John Drew.

Manufacturing has emerged as a top issue in the U.S. Senate race with each candidate releasing plans of their own to bring jobs back to Wisconsin.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen too many jobs go overseas, and unfortunately a lot of the same companies still receive incentives even though they are taking our jobs away,” Barnes said in an interview with CBS 58. “We have to change that structure and make sure we prioritize American manufacturing.”

Alex Lasry grabbed one of the first major labor endorsements in the 2022 U.S. Senate race last year from the Wisconsin Teamsters Joint Council 39. His union plan largely focuses on proposals to “Buy America” products and bring back jobs from China.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski has touted making investments in rural areas. Tom Nelson, Outagamie County executive, wants to create a new national program to focus on industrial goods to be made in America.