Here are the positions on selected issues of U.S. Senate candidates Mandala Barnes, Democrat, and Ron Johnson, Republican incumbent. Information was provided by the Guides.Vote nonpartisan candidate guide.

ABORTION

Barnes – Wants to ensure abortion access. Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act which codifies abortion protections.

Johnson – Supports abortion bans, including co-sponsoring six different proposed federal bans on abortion after 20 weeks. He has also said that abortion is an issue for each state to decide.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Barnes – Supports “bold, powerful action to address climate change.” Said he supports the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act that included $369 billion incentives for renewable energy.

Johnson – Voted against the Inflation Reducation Act, which included renewable energy incentives. Has called climate change B.S. Said he is “not a climate change denier,” but isn’t a “climate change alarmist.”

ECONOMY

Barnes – Supports the Infrastructure Act, which “would invest billions in critical infrastructure” for the state. Supports the proposed Made in America Act, which requires federal contracts to use American goods and services.

Johnson – Would cut federal spending. Has proposed making all federal spending, including Social Security and Medicare, subject to annual evaluations and adjustments. Voted against the Infrastructure Act.

EDUCATION

Barnes – Said schools should teach the reality of U.S. power and prosperity coming from “forced labor on stolen land.” Supports banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in education.

Johnson – Has said parents should have control over what is taught to their children. He opposes “teaching wokeness” in public schools.

GUN RULES

Barnes – Wants to see “common sense gun safety reforms.” Supported the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Johnson – Prefers less restrictive gun legislation. Voted against the Safer Communities Act because he felt it erodes Second Amendment protections.

HEALTH CARE

Barnes – Supports the expansion of Medicaid. Said that everyone should have access to quality health care. Backed the COVID-19 mask mandate in 2021.

Johnson – Supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, which includes an expansion of Medicaid. Has questioned the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

IMMIGRATION

Barnes – Backs comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.

Johnson – Want to see a more secure U.S. border with Mexico before supporting immigration reform and legislation on Dreamers.

LGBTQ+ RIGHTS

Barnes – Promised to fight to ensure that LGTBQ+ people have equal rights. Backs the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientaiton.

Johnson – Opposes the “Respect for Marriage Act,” which would protect same-sex marriages. Opposes transgender women using women’s bathrooms and playing women’s sports.

MARIJUANA

Barnes – Has said he will fight to legalize marijuana and expunge the records of those with non-violent marijuana offenses.

Johnson – Has co-sponsored bills to end federal banning of industrial hemp and CBD. In 2014, said legalization is a state issue, but he did not personally support it.

TAXES

Barnes – Has pledged to give tax breaks to the middle class and fund them by making “billionaires” pay their “fair share.”

Johnson – Supports “pro-growth tax reform.” Backed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.

VOTING RULES

Barnes – Supports online, automatic and same-day voter registration. Backs the John Lewis Voting Rights Act that restores parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Johnson – Opposes the drop-boxes used during 2020. Says voter suppression is not happening.