MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – This week, Madison Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys launched her bid for Wisconsin governor.
Roys previously ran for governor in 2018, placing third in the Democratic primary. She says her top priorities are addressing the cost of living and pushing back against the Trump administration.
The following is an edited transcript of the conversation between Roys and Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau Chief Vanessa Kjeldsen. It has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Vanessa Kjeldsen: Why do you want to be governor?
Kelda Roys: Wisconsin needs a governor who is going to help stand up and protect Wisconsin families from the harms that are going to be coming from the federal budget cuts… At the same time, we have an incredible opportunity here in Wisconsin to address the high cost of living, the high cost of housing, address the skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, and finally, fund our public schools the way they deserve to be funded.
VK: You previously ran for governor in 2018, placing third in the Democratic primary. What’s different about this run?
KR: I think so much is different about 2018 and 2026. Right now, our country is facing some very serious threats that the Republican regime is consolidating authoritarian rule and really attacking our American values.
VK: How would you work with the Trump administration?
KR: Well, I have a long history of getting bipartisan things done. Since being a law student and working with very conservative Republicans to pass landmark criminal justice reforms… to helping usher in the very first pro-choice law in 30 years, the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill, through a Republican and anti-choice Assembly.
VK: The 2025-2027 budget that Governor Evers worked with Republicans on a bipartisan basis, why did you vote against it?
KR: Listen, money is not everything that our schools need to thrive, but we can’t have thriving kids and public schools that meet their needs without money.
VK: Why would you be the best pick for the party?
KR: I think when people think of their governor, number one, they want someone who has a spine of steel… Number two, they want someone who’s experienced, right? This is not a time, not a moment when you want to experiment with somebody brand new.
VK: Would you redraw the [legislative] maps if elected?
KR: Well, I don’t think it’s my job as the governor to redraw the maps. I think it’s important that we have nonpartisan group or a fully bipartisan group drawing the maps… But at the same time, what we’re seeing from the Republican regime is really dangerous. They are using the power of the federal government to force… these MAGA-aligned politicians to re-gerrymander their states… I think it’s a very dangerous thing for Democrats to be unilaterally disarming when it comes to congressional maps.
VK: There is a time where you described Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley as having “fully abandoned democracy.” You said they, “will burn down our democracy for a chance to hold on to illegitimate power.”
KR: Mm-hmm… Our democracy cannot survive if elected leaders abandon their responsibility to upholding the rule of law and the systems of government.
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