Washington, D.C.—People For the American Way Political Director Lizet Ocampo today issued the following statement congratulating Mandela Barnes for winning his race for lieutenant governor in Wisconsin. PFAW’s Next Up Victory Fund endorsed Barnes, now the first African American elected to the lieutenant governor’s office in Wisconsin. Next Up helps young progressives win races for state and local office.

“Mandela Barnes has stood up to ALEC, Walker, and the Trump agenda in Wisconsin for years, and his win tonight puts him in a fantastic position to work with the new Democratic administration to fight income inequality and poverty in Wisconsin. His focus on a ‘brand new deal’ for the people of Wisconsin—including better health care, education, and living wage jobs—united people across the state, and we are proud to support him.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.