MADISON – Ahead of a Wisconsin visit where President Donald Trump plans to tout his administration’s rural initiatives, Democratic candidate for governor Mandela Barnes is rolling out the agricultural policy agenda he says he’d enact if elected.
Barnes’ proposal includes measures to enforce antitrust laws against monopolies, seek tariff refunds, expand market access and incentivize purchasing or succession planning for farmland.
The former lieutenant governor’s agenda also includes a “right to repair” bill for farm equipment, a pledge to reduce licensing and regulatory fees, and a ban on foreign countries and out-of-state firms purchasing Wisconsin farmland – all issues covered in legislation that either failed to pass the Legislature or received a veto from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in recent years.
“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland. But for far too long, corporate greed and politicians like Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany have sold out our farms for massive tax giveaways to billionaires and corporate monopolies,” Barnes said in a statement.
“With my plan, we will take on the monopolies that are pricing out Wisconsin farmers and killing farms across the state. Family farming is the backbone and heart of this state, and I will do everything I can as Governor to put the needs of farmers first.”
Barnes is one of seven Democratic candidates who will face off on Aug. 11 after Evers decided not to seek a third term. The winner will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the Nov. 3 general election.
Barnes says he would target meatpacking monopolies
The former lieutenant governor, who held the position during Evers’ first term, cited meatpacking monopolies as a core driver of family farms’ struggles, and said as governor he would work with the state’s attorney general to enforce antitrust laws, break up monopolies, and support the creation and expansion of local meatpacking plants.
Barnes would also sue the Trump administration over its tariffs, seeking refunds for farmers and businesses affected by the president’s trade policies.
Wisconsin voters oppose the hallmark of Trump’s trade policies thus far, according to Marquette University Law School polling. When asked whether Trump should reimpose some tariffs blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in February, 60% of Wisconsin registered voters said in March they opposed Trump restoring the tariffs under a different set of laws.
Barnes’ agenda includes legislative efforts, including signing a “right to repair” law that would allow farmers to fix their own equipment rather than taking it to the original manufacturer for service, by making certain parts and instructions available to consumers.
A handful of other states have enacted similar provisions related to a variety of technology. Last year, Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin introduced a right-to-repair bill for farm equipment, and Republicans, with Democratic support, introduced a similar bill for automobiles. Neither passed the Legislature.
Also included in Barnes’ agenda is legislation to bar foreign countries and out-of-state investment firms from Wisconsin farmland.
Evers in March vetoed a Republican bill that would have prohibited certain foreign adversaries from owning agricultural or forestry land in the state, saying he objected to blanket prohibitions on property ownership and had concerns about its effect on companies with complex ownership structures.
Barnes also pledged to sign a law “to reduce bureaucratic fees and take the burden off Wisconsin farmers,” but did not share specifics on the legislation.
Evers in April vetoed a GOP bill that would have taken away the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s authority to raise license and registration fees, objecting to what he saw as a legislative effort to encroach on the executive branch’s power.
The legislation was introduced after DATCP proposed a set of significant fee increases, which it ultimately pulled back after public outcry.
Asked if Barnes would have signed the two bills Evers vetoed, a campaign spokesman said he “supported components of both bills but would not have signed either in their entirety.”
Additionally, Barnes said he would expand opportunities for farmers to sell their crops and livestock, direct state agencies to source Wisconsin-grown food and create a state matching fund for federal grants aimed at improving market access. Barnes’ plan would also create tax credits for farmers who formulate succession plans, help people purchase their first farm with a down payment assistance program and expand agricultural education in schools.
Barnes also discussed his plans at Riverview Dairy Farm in Boyd on Wednesday, ahead of Trump’s Friday visit to Chippewa County.
The president plans to promote his administration’s efforts to lower costs and open new trade markets for farmers and to boost the economy in rural areas through tax incentives for investors in such areas of the country, according to a White House spokeswoman.
Most of Chippewa County is in the 7th Congressional District, where Trump’s visit − and his words − will carry weight in the Republican primary unfolding in the district to replace U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor.
A portion of the county also falls in the 3rd Congressional District, one of the nation’s few toss-up congressional races where incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden will likely face Democrat Rebecca Cooke in the general election.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s secretary of health and human services, visited the district with Van Orden on June 1.
Trump won both districts in 2024.
Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mandela Barnes rolls out ag agenda ahead of Trump’s Wisconsin visit
Reporting by Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
