Mining MICAH

"Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) lost to community organizer Mandela Barnes..." in yesterday's primary election, reports today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. One issue was school choice.

"Fields has represented part of the north side since 2004, but has taken heat for his support of the state program that allows more than 20,000 children to attend private schools, including religious schools, at taxpayer expense. Barnes, a former executive director for the interfaith coalition MICAH, campaigned on Fields' stance on vouchers... ."

Another factor, the paper reports, Group helped force out anti-abortion Democratic incumbents.

"A little-noticed liberal group made a big impact in Tuesday's Democratic legislative primaries in Milwaukee, ousting two longtime incumbents with attacks on their left and likely ensuring that no strongly anti-abortion Democrats will remain in the Legislature when it returns next year.

"Wisconsin Progress easily won its targeted races with candidates it had helped recruit and train, with law student Daniel Riemer crushing Rep. Peggy Krusick, a three-decade veteran Democrat from Milwaukee, and community organizer Mandela Barnes stunning Rep. Jason Fields, who had served for eight years."

Barnes is listed as MICAH's "Lead Organizer".