Photo: Ballotpedia
Kelda Roys
DemocraticState Senator
ⓘ What do the party and ideology labels mean?
On the ballot, partisan candidates run under a party — in Wisconsin almost always Democratic or Republican, with the occasional third-party or independent candidate. Words like progressive, conservative, libertarian, or democratic socialist are labels people use to describe themselves, not separate parties on the ballot. A label is a starting point; each candidate's sourced positions show where they actually stand.
How we do this →What is Kelda Roys running for?
Kelda Roys is on the ballot for Governor of Wisconsin in the August 11, 2026 Wisconsin partisan primary. 9 other candidates are on the ballot.
Also on this ballot
- Joel Brennan (Democratic)
- David Crowley (Democratic)
- Francesca Hong (Democratic)
- Tom Tiffany (Republican)
- Andy Manske (Republican)
- Oliver Carranza (Independent)
- Crystal Harper (Independent)
- Mike Kohn (Independent)
- Korey Streich (Independent)
Who is Kelda Roys?
Wisconsin State Senator representing District 26 (since 2021); attorney, small business owner, and former nonprofit executive; born June 24, 1979; previously served in the state Assembly; endorsed by WEAC (teachers union)
Where does Kelda Roys stand on the issues?
ⓘ What do these stance labels mean?
Each label describes how a candidate has spoken about an issue, drawn from a sourced statement — not our opinion. Support and oppose mean they've clearly taken that side. Mixed means their statements point both ways. Evolving means their stated position has changed over time. Unclear means we couldn't find a clear public statement. Every label links to the source it came from.
How we do this →ⓘ Sourced position vs. campaign claim — what's the difference?
A sourced position is something we tied to a specific public statement, with a link. A campaign claim is what a candidate's own site says about their priorities. We keep them separate so you can see the difference between a documented stance and a self-description.
How we do this →Roys previously served as executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and centered her 2018 campaign on abortion rights.
Position sources (1)
- campaignUrban Milwaukee
Roys identifies agriculture as one of Wisconsin's most important industries that depends on responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Position sources (1)
- campaignKelda Roys
Roys said families want economic security and opportunity, framing it as a priority.
Position sources (1)
- campaignWisconsin Public Radio
Roys prioritizes fully funding public schools, calling school funding the defining fight of the next budget and stating she wants the entire projected surplus returned to public schools. She also supports bringing the state's voucher program to a gradual, 'responsible' end with added accountability requirements.
Position sources (1)
- campaignUrban Milwaukee
Roys says she would protect democracy from the Trump administration and has positioned herself as a candidate who will confront it.
Position sources (1)
- campaignUrban Milwaukee
Roys supports transitioning Wisconsin to 100% clean energy by 2050, removing lead pipes, cleaning up PFAS contamination, and restoring conservation funding.
Position sources (1)
- campaignKelda Roys (campaign site)
Roys said she wants to lower health care costs, citing residents' concerns about rising health care costs.
Position sources (1)
- campaignWisconsin Public Radio
Roys identified rising housing costs as a concern for families that government should address.
Position sources (1)
- campaignWisconsin Public Radio
Roys stated that states should hold ICE agents legally accountable when they break state law, emphasizing legal accountability.
Position sources (1)
- campaignKelda Roys
Roys supports crime prevention strategies including cannabis legalization, treatment-based approaches to substance use and mental illness, gun safety measures, and improved reentry programs, along with victim support services.
Position sources (1)
- campaignKelda Roys (campaign site)
Roys says she would restore the top individual income tax rate so the wealthiest pay more, and opposed a tax-cut and school-funding deal that included rebate checks. She emphasizes fairness in the tax system between working people and large corporations.
Position sources (1)
- campaignUrban Milwaukee
The interview
Kelda Roys sat down with WisconsinEye and WisPolitics for a half-hour interview. Every candidate in this race sat for the same interview, so these answers are directly comparable. Each is transcribed verbatim, timestamped to the recording.
“we can cap the cost for parents at 7% of your income per kid”
At 2:17 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“we can pay for the state portion of that by legalizing and taxing cannabis.”
At 2:34 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“So the state does need to pay its fair share for overall school funding, but it also needs to do special ed reimbursement at a reasonable rate because every single child, whether they have a disability or not, deserves to get that high quality public education. I believe 90% is about a billion bucks extra a year in this upcoming biennium.”
At 5:04 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“I have a three step plan to phase out the voucher program responsibly over time.”
At 8:13 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“My My plan for health care will open up the state pool, the very same coverage I get as a state legislator, to let anybody buy in.”
At 12:11 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“I've put forth forth the strongest plan of any candidate in this race to bring the unregulated development of data centers to an immediate halt.”
At 14:50 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“as governor, I will do everything in my power to hold any ICE agent who breaks our laws fully accountable by prosecution and by lawsuit.”
At 21:13 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
“Green Bay should be closed, but we do not need another prison to be built.”
At 24:00 · Watch on WisconsinEye ↗
Quotes are transcribed verbatim from the recording and checked against it before publication. Watching the video requires a free WisconsinEye account. WisconsinEye is a nonprofit that records Wisconsin government and campaigns gavel-to-gavel; this interview exists because they were in the room.
ⓘ What is a voting record showing me?
A roll-call vote is a recorded yes/no vote in the legislature; 'aye' means yes and 'no' means no. A 'deciding vote' is one that changed the outcome. These are the candidate's actual recorded votes, linked to the official record.
How we do this →Voting record
Recorded floor votes Kelda Roys cast in the Wisconsin Legislature, newest first, across the 2025 session, 2023 session. Every entry links to its official roll call and the full bill. We don’t rate or score votes.
551
Recorded votes
169
Voted yes
357
Voted no
95%
Participation
25 did not vote
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In their own words
“He attacked public education and put in the most devastating cuts in the history of the state to public schools. Our kids have never recovered from that.”
“It's not fair for working people and retirees and the middle class and young people just starting out to have to pay our fair share of taxes and the wealthiest among us don't. It's not fair for small businesses to bear the brunt of providing public services.”
“I'm not calling for immediate elimination but we are spending nearly $700 million each year on unaccountable, discriminatory, non-transparent voucher programs that the evidence shows on balance perform no better than public schools.”
“People want a proven fighter. Someone new or inexperienced and a mealy-mouthed moderate is not going to cut it in this moment… If we have someone that isn't capable of being aggressive and making Tom Tiffany accountable for his horrible record of hurting Wisconsinites… we're not gonna win.”
“No. 1, we have to have a leader who will protect Wisconsinites against the attacks from the Republican regime in Washington”
Show all 8 quotes
“We don't want a world where we millions are thrown out of work because AI is taking jobs. Instead, we want an economy where all workers benefit from productivity gains -- for example, a 4-day workweek for everyone rather than 10% structural unemployment.”
“As a condition of building in Wisconsin, large-scale data centers and other big energy users should pay higher rates than Wisconsin families and small businesses.”
“Public spaces and natural resources must be preserved and protected for future generations.”
ⓘ How do I read these campaign-finance numbers?
Individual contributions come from people; PAC (political action committee) money comes from organized groups. Cash-on-hand is what a campaign has left to spend. Money shows who is backing a campaign — it is not an endorsement by us, and more money does not mean a candidate is better.
How we do this →Top reported contributors
- WEAC PAC (Madison)$86,000
- IUPAT Political Action (Hanover)$25,000
- Michael Blair (Williams Bay)$20,000
- Kelda Helen Roys (Madison)$16,943
- Elise Lawson (Madison)$10,000
Show 5 more
- Helen Bradbury (Madison)$10,000
- David Statz (Baraboo)$7,500
- WEAC Region 6 Political Action Committee (Madison)$6,500
- Edward Corcoran (Madison)$5,500
- Stephanie Long (Appleton)$5,400
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Top organization & PAC donors
- WEAC PAC (Madison)PAC/Committee$86,000
- IUPAT Political Action (Hanover)$25,000
- WEAC Region 6 Political Action Committee (Madison)PAC/Committee$6,500
- WI Pipe Trades Assn PAC (Madison)PAC/Committee$5,000
- Plumber & Steamfitter Lcl 400 (Green Bay)PAC/Committee$5,000
Show 5 more
- ACEC WI PAC (Madison)PAC/Committee$5,000
- Forest Co Potawatomi Comm PAC (Madison)PAC/Committee$5,000
- Friends of Andrea Gage (De Pere)PAC/Committee$4,100
- Summit Credit Union (Cottage Grove)Depository/Bank$3,255
- Ethos Campaigns (Nashville)$2,549
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Where the money comes from
| Individuals | 79% | $565,594 | 2223 donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union PACs | 13% | $93,000 | 3 donors |
| PACs & committees | 4% | $27,700 | 8 donors |
| Businesses | 4% | $27,549 | 2 donors |
| Other | 0% | $3,455 | 3 donors |
16% from donations under $200 (1,580 donors)
- under $200$89,775 · 1,580 donors
- $200–$999$201,226 · 527 donors
- $1,000 and up$274,592 · 116 donors
Individual donors only, grouped by each donor's total
85% from Wisconsin
- Wisconsin$504,915 · 2,029 donors
- Out of state$87,227 · 195 donors
- Unknown$1,000 · 1 donors
Individuals and businesses; committees excluded
Monthly fundraising
| 2026-01 | $40,832 |
|---|---|
| 2026-02 | $37,206 |
| 2026-03 | $51,540 |
| 2026-04 | $138,798 |
| 2026-05 | $64,520 |
| 2026-06 | $215,620 |
| 2026-07 | $160,281 |
Itemized contributions, filings through Aug 3, 2026 · Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine)
Political ads about Kelda Roys
Ads a BadgerBrief editor confirmed are about Kelda Roys, from the Meta Ad Library. Spend is the range Meta discloses.
- Support$1,000–$1,499
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I called out Trump's pick for governor: he refuses to hold the president accountable for his reckless, irresponsible behavior and will be a rubber stamp for his agenda in Wisconsin. I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$400–$499
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I called out Trump's pick for governor: he refuses to hold the president accountable for his reckless, irresponsible behavior and will be a rubber stamp for his agenda in Wisconsin. I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$400–$499
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I called out Trump's pick for governor: he refuses to hold the president accountable for his reckless, irresponsible behavior and will be a rubber stamp for his agenda in Wisconsin. I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$300–$399
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$300–$399
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$200–$299
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I called out Trump's pick for governor: he refuses to hold the president accountable for his reckless, irresponsible behavior and will be a rubber stamp for his agenda in Wisconsin. I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
Kelda Roys is a proven Democratic leader who gets things done for Wisconsin families. A state senator, small business owner, attorney, and mom and stepmom of 5, Kelda is relentlessly focused on building a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Kelda Roys
Paid for by Friends of Kelda Roys
I'm State Senator Kelda Roys. I've spent my career fighting for and delivering real progressive change for us. From affordable healthcare to public education, from better wages to protecting our rights, I have been one of Wisconsin's strongest and most effective champions for change. Now, I'm running for governor to build a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I can't be bought. My campaign relies on grassroots donations from hardworking Wisconsinites like you. Make no mistake: we're in the fight of our lives - for our democracy and our kids' future. But with your support, we will win!
View ad on Meta ↗
In the news about Kelda Roys
Coverage a BadgerBrief editor reviewed and confirmed belongs here. We link out — we don’t summarize. How we handle coverage ↗
- Madison state Sen. Kelda Roys joins growing Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor ↗2025-09-15Wisconsin Public Radio · news outlet · The outlet is funded through a combination of state appropriations, listener donations, and grants.Wisconsin Public Radio is owned by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin System, Board of Regents. source ↗
- Kelda Roys hopes to shake up Dem governor field with new ad campaign ↗2026-06-18Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · news outletGannett
- State Sen. Kelda Roys Hopes to Shake Up Democratic Governor Race ↗2026-06-23Urban Milwaukee · news outlet · The funding model for Urban Milwaukee includes both advertising and a small retail outlet that sells Milwaukee-themed souvenirs and gifts.Urban Milwaukee was founded by Jeramey Jannene and Dave Reid, with Jeramey Jannene currently serving as president. Bruce Murphy joined as the editor in 2012. source ↗
- Roys Raises $1.2 Million ↗Urban Milwaukee · news outlet · The funding model for Urban Milwaukee includes both advertising and a small retail outlet that sells Milwaukee-themed souvenirs and gifts.Urban Milwaukee was founded by Jeramey Jannene and Dave Reid, with Jeramey Jannene currently serving as president. Bruce Murphy joined as the editor in 2012. source ↗
- Rodriguez Withdraws, Roys Calls for Unity ↗Urban Milwaukee · news outlet · The funding model for Urban Milwaukee includes both advertising and a small retail outlet that sells Milwaukee-themed souvenirs and gifts.Urban Milwaukee was founded by Jeramey Jannene and Dave Reid, with Jeramey Jannene currently serving as president. Bruce Murphy joined as the editor in 2012. source ↗
- Sara Rodriguez leads field for governor in Wisconsin Dems' straw poll ↗2026-06-14Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · news outletGannett
Sources
- referenceBallotpedia
- campaignCampaign Website
- reportedWUWM Voter Guide
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