Wisconsin governor race: State Sen. Kelda Roys launches campaign

MADISON, Wis. - Democratic State Sen. Kelda Roys on Monday, Sept. 15 officially launched her campaign for Wisconsin governor.

Joining the race

What we know:

Roys, 46, once lead NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. She served in the state Assembly from 2009 until 2013. Roys ran for an open congressional seat in 2012, but was defeated by a fellow state lawmaker, Mark Pocan, by 50 points. She was elected to the state Senate in 2020.

Roys previously ran for governor in 2018 and finished third in the Democratic primary.

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Political observers consider Roys one of the more liberal candidates in the field. Observers expect the race to grow, with another progressive candidate likely to enter as early as this week.

"With everything on the line, Wisconsin needs a Governor who’s been training for this moment her whole career and knows how to deliver," says Roys. "We can’t afford to wait. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you deserve the freedom to thrive right now: the best public schools for every child, quality, affordable health care for every Wisconsinite, good jobs that don’t just pay the bills but help you build the future you want. I’m fighting alongside you for our Wisconsin – and together, we’re going to win."

1-on-1 with Roys

Roys answered FOX6’s questions on Monday, shedding light on her views, including her campaign launch video, which referred to President Donald Trump as an "extremist."

What they're saying:

Jason Calvi: Is [calling Trump an extremist] appropriate, just given what we saw with Charlie Kirk, we've seen a number of cases, including in Minnesota?

Kelda Roys: I think honesty is always appropriate. There is nothing American about using our government to reward your friends, line your own pockets, and punish enemies, and to try to silence people who disagree with you, whether it's the media, whether it's political leaders, trying to build your own private and unaccountable police force to intimidate people and terrorize communities, that's wrong, and I think political leaders should speak out about it. I am not afraid to tell the truth about what the Trump administration is doing when it's wrong, and if they have good ideas, then I'm always willing to work with Republicans, and I think my record shows that.

Calvi: What would you do on the topic of abortion in Wisconsin as governor?

Roys: There is never a point in time when a politician is in a better circumstance than you and your family and your doctor to make healthcare decisions. That's a fundamental principle for me.

Calvi: So would that mean getting rid of the 20-week abortion ban that's on the books right now?

Roys: Yes, and the other politically motivated restrictions that are making it harder for people to access the healthcare they need. And I'm not just talking about abortion, but miscarriage management, access to fertility treatments, and all the things that we need to live healthy and full lives.

Calvi: What about school vouchers, which pay for private school tuition?

Roys: Our property taxes are too high, and that's because the state has not done its work to fund public education at the state level. But we're also diverting billions of dollars into private, unaccountable voucher schemes, most of which are paying for people who already had their kids in private school, and now the state is picking up the tab rather than the parents. I think that's wrong. I think it is important for public taxpayer dollars to go to public schools that are accountable to all of us as community members.

Calvi: Would that entail the people that are currently getting the voucher? Would they have to go back to the public schools under your administration?

Roys: No, I think we have to be very cognizant and mindful of the fact that disruption is bad for kids, and we don't want to take people out of situations that are working for them, but we also have to stop the expansion of vouchers, and we have to bring that failed experiment to a responsible close, over the course of time, so that kids' lives are not disrupted, but so that our public schools can get the resources that they need to make sure every kid gets a great public education.

Calvi: What about taxes?

Roys: I think everybody needs to pay their fair share, and for too long, billionaires and big corporations have been given a free ride, and then all of us have to pay the cost, as well as our public schools and local governments that don't get the resources they need. We have got to make sure that everyone has the chance to succeed, and that means paying your fair share.

Who is running for Wisconsin governor?

The backstory:

Roys joins Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, longtime Brewers beer vendor Ryan Strnad and the state's Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez as the Democratic candidates in the 2026 race to replace Gov. Tony Evers, who is retiring after two terms. The race is open with no incumbent running for the first time since 2010.

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On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and suburban Milwaukee businessman Bill Berrien are the announced candidates.

Other Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and State Senate President Mary Felzkowski, are considering running. Tiffany has indicated that he will announce his decision later this month. Felzkowski said last week that she would not run if Tiffany gets into the race and she was undecided about a bid if he declined.

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democrat, is also mulling a bid. Attorney General Josh Kaul, 44, has not announced if he will run. 

Candidate interviews

Big picture view:

FOX6 News previously interviewed other candidates.

When is the election?

What's next:

The primaries are 11 months away in August. The general election is in November 2026.