La Crosse Democrats hear from former Lt. Gov. Barnes, Wisconsin Dem Party chair Wikler at membership rally

Election Day is two weeks away in Wisconsin, when the state holds its spring primary ending April 2. 

Although there’s not much suspense to the presidential race at this point, many local offices will be on the ballot.

The La Crosse County Democratic Party put on a membership rally Monday at the Cappella Arts Center, featuring former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who ran for U.S. Senate two years ago, and Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler.

Barnes said his focus right now is fighting for fair maps and getting out the vote.

“That’s what gets me out of bed every day,” Barnes told the audience. “That’s what keeps me fired up. People say, ‘Mandela, what are you going to do next?’ Don’t worry about what I’m doing next. I’m trying to make sure that we win some races this November in 2024 and all the elections in between.”

Barnes criticized recent comments by former Republican President Donald Trump and said he wants a president who will take the right to choose seriously.

Wikler told the audience the recent passage of new legislative maps for the state will give some power back to the voters.

“In Wisconsin, we’ve had foreknowledge, we’ve known exactly who would be in control of our state legislature every single election, since the Republicans rigged the maps in 2011,” Wikler said. “This year, for the first time really in a generation, it’ll depend on what the voters do.”

Monday’s La Crosse rally also attracted area legislators, and Democratic candidates running to challenge 3rd District US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).