South Carolina's James Clyburn endorses Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race

Bill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announces he will be running for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the Sherman Phoenix 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., Milwaukee.

With a year to go before the midterm elections, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes received a big boost in his Democratic run for U.S. Senate: an endorsement from House Majority Whip James Clyburn.

On Monday, the veteran South Carolina Democrat said "Mandela is hands-down the best candidate to defeat Senator Ron Johnson, expand our majority in the United States Senate, and deliver results for the people of Wisconsin.”

Barnes is gathering momentum as a crowded Democratic field is eager to take on Johnson next year. The primary is Aug. 9.

Johnson is closing in on a decision on whether to run for a third term.

More:Here's who's running for Ron Johnson's Wisconsin Senate seat in 2022

It was the third major personal endorsement that Barnes has grabbed in this campaign. Previously, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts endorsed Barnes.

In 2020, it was a Clyburn endorsement that helped Joe Biden win the crucial South Carolina primary.

Clyburn called Barnes a "proven leader who has shown he will always stand up for people from every corner of Wisconsin."

"As Wisconsin’s next Senator, I know Mandela will continue his fight to create opportunities and good jobs across the state, expand access to affordable health care and prescription drugs, and tackle the climate crisis that has impacted so many parts of this country," Clyburn added in a statement released by the Barnes campaign.

Barnes said "Clyburn is a voice for equity, opportunity, and justice who has blazed a trail for leaders of all backgrounds to step up and fight for their communities, and that’s why his endorsement is so meaningful here in Wisconsin."

“In Washington, Mr. Clyburn and I will work together to deliver quality health care to everyone, tackle the climate crisis that is wreaking havoc on everything from urban communities to family farms, invest in our infrastructure — from expanding rural broadband to repairing roads and bridges — and ultimately, create good jobs and opportunity in every community across Wisconsin."