MILWAUKEE — Senior Vice President for the Milwaukee Bucks Alex Lasry has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

Lasry, a Democrat, announced his Senate bid in a YouTube video Wednesday. He called on Washington lawmakers to “usher in a new way of thinking about the American economy.”

“We've lived through three systemic shocks to the system over the last 20 years: 9/11, the Great Recession and now this pandemic, and Washington still hasn't fixed things,” Lasry said. “We need to rethink everything and chart a new way forward. We can’t just continue with the same people and expect anything to change.”

The video included endorsements from Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, as well as many other Wisconsin politicians and activists. 

“It’s time to elect leaders with a fresh perspective and a record of delivering real results for the people of Wisconsin,” Lasry continued. “I will bring a new way of thinking to the Senate and give Sen. Tammy Baldwin a partner in Washington who will work for the people of this state, not for the special interests. That’s why I am running to be Wisconsin’s next senator.”

Lasry, the son of Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, said he is taking a leave of absence from the Bucks for the duration of the campaign.

In the video, Lasry touted his ties to Milwaukee and the role he has played with the Bucks, including the building of Fiserv Forum and raising the minimum wage for stadium employees and the surrounding Deer District. He also highlighted the Bucks’ political activism over the last year, like protesting police brutality following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.

“Through my work with the Milwaukee Bucks, I have shown that progressive values are good for business. Making sure that we are paying people family sustaining wages, providing workers with good union jobs, and investing in projects that respect our communities and our environment should be the new model for business across our state,” Lasry said. “Putting workers at the forefront of everything we do is the only way to ensure that when we recover from this pandemic, no Wisconsinite gets left behind.”

Additionally, he was host committee chair for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which was held in Milwaukee. He also previously worked as a White House aide under President Barack Obama.

Lasry is now the second Democratic candidate to announce their campaign, joining Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson. Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, has yet to announce if he will run for a third term.

The Democratic Primary Election for the United States Senate will be held, Aug. 9, 2022.