Former state Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, has formed a committee that would let her run for governor in 2018, and Roys says she plans to formally enter the race soon.
“Very safe to say that,” Roys said in an email to Wisconsin Public Radio on Monday. “I expect to launch early next year.”
Roys filed paperwork with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to register the campaign committee Kelda Roys for Governor.
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Roys served four years in the Wisconsin Assembly from 2009 through 2012.
She ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2012, losing the Democratic primary to U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan.
Roys said in November that if a consensus choice had begun to emerge for Democrats by early next year, she would consider supporting them instead.
If she enters the race for governor, Roys would join a crowded field of candidates that includes State schools Superintendent Tony Evers, former state party chair Matt Flynn, Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik, activist Mike McCabe, former Lt. Gov. candidate Mahlon Mitchell, state Sen. Kathleen Vinhout, and state Rep. Dana Wachs.
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin has also said he’s “definitely leaning” toward announcing for governor early next year.
The Democratic primary for governor is Aug. 14. The winner will face Republican Gov. Scott Walker in the general election.
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