Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
19.1%
9.4%
8.3%
7.5%
6.0%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$273.6K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age46 years old (Jun 24, 1979)
GenderFemale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundAttorney
EducationNew York University (BA)
Notable personal detailsKelda Helen Roys is a Democratic politician, attorney, and small business owner from Madison, Wisconsin. She has served in the Wisconsin State Senate representing the 26th Senate District since January 2021, and previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2009 to 2013. Roys is a University of Wisconsin Law School graduate and founded OpenHomes, a real estate brokerage/technology business in southern Wisconsin.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgkeldaroys.comclimateintegrity.orglinkedin.comapnews.comwpr.orgtransparencyusa.orga.osmarks.netpbswisconsin.orgwispolitics.comwmtv15news.comfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgurbanmilwaukee.comcivicmedia.usnewiprogressive.comarxiv.orgwislawjournal.commadisonreporter.com350wisconsin.orgmedium.comwmtv.comwsaw.comwisconsinwatch.orgaxios.comabcnews.go.comcdn.cnn.comstatic.politico.comdemocrats.senate.govsenate.govncsl.orgbaldwin.senate.govadriansmith.house.govballotready.orgdocquery.fec.govfec.govgovinfo.govcongress.govvotesmart.orgnga.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports restoring and redirecting tax revenue to fund local services and public priorities, opposes large regressive tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy, and has sponsored refundable tax credits to provide relief for lower-income families.
Healthcare
Supports expanding coverage through public programs and a public option (including BadgerCare expansion and allowing buy-in to the state health plan), lowering prescription costs, expanding mental and behavioral health access, and workforce investments to stabilize rural care.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports dismantling and disarming ICE, calls for suspending ICE raids and protecting noncitizen community members, and defends international students and due process for immigrants. The candidate frames immigration enforcement as harmful and emphasizes welcoming immigrant communities and legal protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports codifying and protecting abortion and reproductive freedom in Wisconsin law, opposes enforcement of archaic abortion bans, and has a long record of advocacy for abortion access and reproductive healthcare. She has led and co-sponsored legislative efforts to restore abortion rights in state law and co-leads a legislative Reproductive Freedom Workgroup.
Climate & Energy
Supports state action on climate change including re-empowering the DNR, joining the Paris Agreement, and transitioning Wisconsin to 100% renewable energy by 2050 while prioritizing clean water, PFAS cleanup, and investments in clean infrastructure and energy resilience.
Public Safety & Guns
Kelda Roys supports expanded gun safety measures including universal background checks, red flag laws, safe-storage incentives and laws, and restrictions to keep firearms away from domestic abusers. She has called for commonsense gun reforms such as raising purchase age and limiting high-capacity magazines and has advanced legislation to close loopholes that allow domestic violence offenders to possess firearms.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 11, 2026
Kelda Roys is in the news as one of seven Democrats running in Wisconsin’s governor primary, with the field set for a July 28 debate in Milwaukee ahead of the August 11 vote. The race is still wide open, with a recent poll showing many voters undecided. Recent coverage also notes that the Democratic field remains intact after another candidate failed to qualify for the ballot.
en.wikipedia.org+38
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 days ago
7 Democrats running for governor to square off in televised debate
Neutral
PPOLITICO3 months ago
Trump’s voter crackdown reaches college campuses
Negative
WWEAU3 months ago
How Wisconsin’s legislative maps could impact the general election
Neutral
NNewsweek21 days ago
DNC's 2024 Autopsy Report Released-Here's What it Means for the 2028 Presidential Election
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising