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Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced Tuesday that he'll be joining the Democratic primary race for Senate, a seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.
Why it matters: Barnes, 34, could become the first African American from Wisconsin to serve in the Senate, if elected, AP notes.
- Barnes becomes the seventh Democrat to enter the race for the Senate seat, while Johnson has yet to announce whether he plans to seek reelection.
The big picture: Barnes, the first Black lieutenant governor in Wisconsin, will give up his chance to run for a second term in 2022.
- The Democrat field includes Wisconsin state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, state Sen. Chris Larson, and Alex Lasry, a businessman whose family owns the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Barnes was outspoken and gained national attention after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, last summer.
What he's saying: "Hard-working families deserve every opportunity, but politicians like Senator Ron Johnson aren’t delivering," Barnes said in a tweet. "Instead of changing our dreams, we need to change the game."