Sen. Kelda Roys is “pretty likely to run” for governor

State Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) appeared on Civic Media’s “The Todd Allbaugh Show” Tuesday to discuss her co-sponsorship of a bipartisan bill recently signed into law regarding nursing. 

But it was her answer to a question about her political future which raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about a possible run for governor.

“I am pretty likely to run for governor in 2026,” Roys said after Allbaugh asked her point-blank if she intended to get into the race. 

“I can’t make an announcement this very second,” Roys said.  “But when I think about the opportunities we have in our state and the need for a really strong leader with a lot of experience getting things done in a politically purple state, I feel really excited about my chances and what we could do together in this state.”

Governor Tony Evers announced last month he would not seek a third term.

Allbaugh noted it was one year to the day before Wisconsin voters will go to the polls for the gubernatorial primary. Next year’s fall primary is August 11, 2026. 

Roys said she intends to make a formal announcement after Labor Day and will make everyday costs to Wisconsin families a top priority.

“The main thing is lowering costs for families. We have gotta get more money in people’s pockets because so many Wisconsinites are feeling economically strained right now and they have every reason to be,” Roys said. “And it’s only going to get worse under the Trump recession that we have coming…”

Roys called the cuts to state funding in the recent federal budget “devastating” and said she viewed it as “an attack on states like Wisconsin.”

“So we really have to make sure we have a governor [who] is ready to do the hard thing and stand up for Wisconsin families against cuts at the federal level,” Roys said. “And invest in the things we need like public education, health care, our infrastructure, our roads.”

Roys appeared on the program less than a day after hinting at a run in a social media post referencing a beloved local ice cream shop: “Once again, I say, This $&@! just got serious! #2026 #governor.” 

In an interview earlier this month, Roys told the Capital Times newspaper she’s “very likely to run,” but was more carefully considering the safety and security of her family amidst political violence seen most recently in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. 

Allbaugh noted Republican strategist Bill McCoshen had appeared on the program recently and said the race for the GOP nomination for governor will largely, if not entirely, come down to if and who President Donald Trump endorses.

Allbaugh asked what it will take for the eventual Democratic nominee to win the primary.

“My plan is I’m not gonna be running for the Democratic nomination, I’m [going to be] running for governor, and I want to appeal to people all across the state in every geographic region in every demographic,” Roys said. 

“Whether you agree or disagree with me on an issue, I owe you the truth about my ideas and my willingness to listen.  That’s the kind of governor I want to be and I think that’s the kind of governor Wisconsinites want and deserve,” she added.

To date, the only Democrat to officially announce a run for governor in 2026 is Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has said he’ll be “taking steps toward entering the race.” 

For Republicans, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann has formally announced a run as has manufacturing executive Bill Berrien. U.S. Congressman Tom Tiffany, of the 7th district, has flirted with running and said he’ll make an official announcement after Labor Day. 

Former four-time-elected Governor Tommy Thompson has said he’s not ruling out another run. State Senate President Mary Felzkowski has also been rumored as a potential contender. And former Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz recently appeared on Allbaugh’s program and refused to entirely rule out a run.

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