Kelda Roys on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg:
Another of the total of seven Democrats running for governor, State Senator Kelda Roys tells us about her experience and candidacy in this interview with Zac Schultz.

Zac Schultz:
Kelda Roys, thanks for joining us.

Kelda Roys:
Good to be with you Zac.

Zac Schultz:
So let’s give voters the elevator pitch, introduce yourself and say why you are running for governor.

Kelda Roys:
I’m running for governor because Wisconsin needs higher wages, lower costs and more freedom. We face a huge threat from the Trump administration, and we need a governor who is willing to stand up to the bullies and billionaires and fight to protect Wisconsinites from their harms. At the same time, we also have an incredible opportunity to actually elect a governor who is able to govern and pass laws with a new, fairer legislature.

Zac Schultz:
Is there a single issue that drives you, or perhaps a lane within the Democratic Party that may define you?

Kelda Roys:
I think it’s all about making it possible for working people to have the freedom to thrive in this state. For too long, people have seen their wages stagnate or even go down. Meanwhile, the cost of living are skyrocketing. Everything from housing to healthcare, childcare and utilities is going up. We have to make Wisconsin a place where people can afford to live and have a good life.

Zac Schultz:
How much money do you need to raise to be competitive and win this primary? And will that leave any room for the general election after that?

Kelda Roys:
Yeah, I’m very confident that we’re going to have a good pot of money that’s been raised by the Democratic Party and national partners for whomever our nominee is. I think the primary, it depends on who all is running, but I’m confident I’m going to have the resources needed to run a strong campaign and prevail.

Zac Schultz:
When it comes to a competitive primary, you’re no stranger to those. What’s the difference, in your view, between negative campaigning against a member of your own party versus defining differences between candidates?

Kelda Roys:
Well, I think primaries are really important opportunity for voters to vet the candidates and see what their experience is, see how they perform under pressure. There’s going to be a huge spotlight on Wisconsin. This is an incredibly important, high-stakes race in one of the most pivotal states in the country. And it is essential that we have a governor who not only is able to stand up to the Trump administration when needed, but also capable of actually making the change that we need in this narrow window of opportunity that we’re going to have.

Zac Schultz:
When primary voters are looking at these candidates, should they be thinking in terms of which issue they most closely relate to a candidate or simply electability?

Kelda Roys:
Well, I think each voter is going to decide for him or herself what matters. And I ask everyone in Wisconsin for your vote on August 11th and November 3rd. But I really want to make the argument that whatever the issue that you care about is, the most important thing is having a governor who can win and who can actually get things done. I have spent over 20 years working in and around state government in a variety of capacities as a legislator in the Senate and the Assembly. As the only candidate running that served on the Joint Finance Committee, small business owner, mom, attorney and I have been able to get meaningful legislation passed on a whole variety of issues through every kind of legislature: Democratic, Republican, split. Those skills are going to be essential for our next governor, if we want to actually make change in this state.

Zac Schultz:
All of the Democrats running for office have connections either to Madison or Milwaukee. What is your job in terms of introducing yourself to the rest of the state, especially rural Wisconsin, that may not recognize your name?

Kelda Roys:
Well, fortunately I’ve spent my career traveling around the state and building relationships and trying to build democratic power. And I’m actually from Taylor County. I was born in Marshfield, grew up in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Taylor County, north of Highway 29. I’m the only candidate that had a pet goat as a child, and so it’s been really fun for me to travel around the state, areas where I have deep family roots or other connections that I’ve built throughout my career, reconnect with people and meet new people, and the reception has been really strong.

Zac Schultz:
What do you think the impact of Donald Trump will be on this election?

Kelda Roys:
I think that people in Wisconsin are feeling angry and hopeless about the economic situation. The chaos and the corruption that we are seeing by this administration is unprecedented, and we’re also seeing him shredding our Constitution and the rule of law. As an attorney and as a patriotic American, I think that what Trump is doing is totally unacceptable, and we need to have strong governors who are willing to stand up and hold him accountable, as well as, you know, his, you know, private paramilitary force that he’s building with ICE. We can have secure borders without violating people’s rights and destroying the things that make this country good.

Zac Schultz:
Kelda Roys, thanks for your time.

Kelda Roys:
Great to be with you. Thank you.