This story first appeared in Up North News
As Governor Tony Evers prepares to leave office, Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys is stepping up, aiming to lead the state and counteract President Donald Trump’s policies. Roys is focusing her campaign on reducing costs for families and opposing Trump’s agenda.
“In this critical moment of great danger for our country and our democracy, we must have strong governors leading important swing states like Wisconsin that are willing to stand up to this Republican regime to protect Wisconsin families,” Roys shared in an interview with UpNorthNews.
Representing Wisconsin’s 26th District, including Madison and surrounding areas, Roys is positioning herself as a formidable candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 gubernatorial race. She faces a competitive Democratic primary with numerous candidates vying to succeed the current two-term governor.
With the Democratic primary scheduled for August 11, Roys emphasized her commitment to fighting for Wisconsin values and making life more affordable for families.
She noted that many Wisconsinites supported Trump in 2024, hoping he would address affordability issues, but claims he failed to deliver on those promises.
Who is Wisconsin State Sen. Kelda Roys?
Kelda Roys hails from rural Taylor County, with her mother working in social services and her father in law enforcement. At 46, she juggles being a mother, stepmother, lawyer, and small-business owner, alongside her husband Dan. She has a strong record in advocating for women’s reproductive rights, having served as executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, now known as Reproductive Freedom for All.
Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Solve Problems
Roys sees the upcoming elections as a pivotal chance for Wisconsinites to elect representatives who can effectively address key issues, especially after years of gerrymandered legislative maps. She expresses optimism about achieving significant progress with strong leadership from the governor’s office.
Opposition to Billionaire-Inclined Policies
Roys criticizes Trump’s administration, citing corruption and enrichment at taxpayers’ expense. She argues that affordability remains a pressing concern for Americans, contrary to Trump’s stance, and highlights the impact of high grocery prices due to tariffs.
Voter Frustration and Concerns
Roys expresses concern over Trump’s unauthorized military actions, such as the airstrikes on Iran, which she argues distract from domestic issues like affordability and healthcare. She emphasizes the need for leadership focused on reducing living costs.
Plans to Lower Healthcare Costs
With healthcare costs rising due to the expiration of ACA subsidies, Roys highlights the struggles of Wisconsinites like Bill from Ladysmith, who may lose insurance due to premium increases. She advocates for policy changes to prevent such dilemmas.
Proposing a Public Health Insurance Option
Roys aims to expand access to Wisconsin’s state health insurance plan, offering it to individuals and businesses as a public option, leveraging the high-quality, nonprofit nature of the plan to provide affordable care.
Education and School Vouchers
Roys plans to end school vouchers, which she argues divert funds from public schools to private ones that lack accountability. She emphasizes the importance of strong public education for all Wisconsin students.
Call to Remove ICE from Wisconsin
Roys advocates for abolishing ICE, criticizing its operations as un-American. She sponsors the No Secret Police Act to ensure transparency in law enforcement.
Affordable Childcare for Families
Roys proposes policies to ensure families spend no more than 7% of their income on childcare, including increasing provider numbers and raising wages for childcare workers.
Maintaining Vaccine Access
Concerned about vaccine availability, Roys vows to maintain access and work with other Democratic leaders to lower prescription drug costs.
Legislation Against “Killer Robots”
Roys co-sponsors the NAW DAWG Act to prohibit autonomous weapons, fearing potential domestic misuse. She warns against unchecked power, citing Trump’s tendencies to bypass limitations.
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