Sen. Ron Johnson says Democratic challenger used "code words" to incite riots in Kenos
Published: 09-10-2022 14:17
In a heated debate on Friday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, accused his Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes of "inciting" riots in Kenosha and using "code words" to defund police.
Barnes responded by accusing Johnson of "fearmongering" and said that he was "twisting my words."
The exchange came amid a discussion of the recent unrest in Kenosha following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police. Johnson said that Barnes had used "code words" when he called for defunding the police, and that this had led to the riots.
Barnes countered by saying that Johnson was "fearmongering" and that he was misrepresenting his position on defunding the police. He said that he had only called for investing in communities, not for abolishing the police altogether.
The two candidates also sparred over the issue of gun violence. Johnson accused Barnes of wanting to take away people's guns, while Barnes accused Johnson of being "beholden to the gun lobby."
The debate ended with both candidates accusing each other of being dishonest and out of touch with the people of Wisconsin.
