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This is Our Body Politic. I'm Forai Chidea. Election Day is rapidly approaching, and this week we take a look at one of the most hotly contested seats for the United States Senate in Wisconsin.

After clearing a crowded field in the Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is trying to replace Republican Senator Ron Johnson.

Barnes is the first black person in Wisconsin ever to be elected lieutenant governor and only the second black person ever to hold

statewide office. If elected to the Senate, Barnes would join a small but notable group of black

senators to serve over the last 233 years. Senate Democrats hope to pick up at least two more seats.

Some Democrats favor abolishing the filibuster

if they get those seats, which could affect issues like voting rights and abortion. And while

protecting abortion access has become a rallying cry for Barnes and other Democratic candidates,

the economy remains top of mind for voters across demographics and political affiliations.

Johnson, who we asked for an interview but did not hear back from,

currently leads Barnes in the polls for what it's worth.

News reports indicate that Johnson could be preparing for the possibility of a recount given the close race.

Financial disclosures show that he's made two payments for legal consulting to a law firm

led by former Trump campaign attorney Jim Troopus. According to reports, Troopus allegedly played a role

in the failed fake elector scheme after the 2020 election. And while Barnes may be his political

opponent at the state GOP convention in May, Senator Johnson called

...