MENASHA (NBC 26) — Another name has been added to the Republican race for Wisconsin's lieutenant governor.
State Sen. Roger Roth, (R) Appleton, announced his bid for lieutenant governor Thursday in Menasha with family by his side.
"Now is the time. People are struggling right now and they want a change in direction," Roth said. "I believe that my lieutenant governor candidacy will help empower whomever wins the Republican governor's race to help make and move Wisconsin forward."
State Sen. Roger Roth, (R) Appleton, announced his bid for Lt. Governor of Wisconsin today with family by his side. He joins 8 other Republican candidates in that race. @NBC26 pic.twitter.com/3CapSiZDje
— Kelsey Dickeson (@KelseyDickeson) February 17, 2022
Roth has served in the Wisconsin legislature for more than a decade. He's been a member of the Wisconsin Senate since 2015 and was in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2007 to 2011. Roth spent two years as president of the Wisconsin Senate. He also served in the Wisconsin National Guard for 17 years.
In Wisconsin, candidates for lieutenant governor run on their own tickets for the primary election on Aug. 9. The winner is then paired with the winner of the governor's race for the November general election.
Roth is now the ninth Republican candidate running for lieutenant governor of Wisconsin.
"There are very few statutory specifications for what a lieutenant governor does, except to fill in for the governor," said Michael Kraft, UW Green Bay professor of political science. "So given that it's not a very powerful office, except as a stepping stone possibly to something else, why on earth would nine people be running in a Republican primary?"
Kraft said one reason could be to boost profile.
"A statewide campaign - even if it's not successful - can bring visibility to a candidate, show fundraising abilities, raise their stature a little bit within the state so they are considered a potential nominee not just for statewide races, but for federal races," Kraft said.
Kraft said it's likely we'll see some Republican candidates drop out of the lieutenant governor race prior to the primary election.
Roth said he plans to give up his state senate seat once his term expires this fall. He said this candidacy is one of his main focuses right now, but said a run for governor down the road isn't out of the question.
Other Republican candidates for lieutenant governor include:
- State Sen. Patrick Testin, (R) Stevens Point
- David Varnam, Lancaster Mayor
- Ben Voelkel, former spokesman for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson
- Cindy Werner, a 2020 congressional candidate
- Jonathan Wichmann, former gubernatorial candidate
- Will Martin, worked for two former Republican governors
- David King, founder of Wisconsin God Squad
- Kyle Yudes, Eau Claire
Democratic Candidates for lieutenant governor include:
- State Rep. David Bowen, (D) Milwaukee
- State Rep. Sara Rodriguez, (D) Brookfield
- Peng Her, CEO of the Hmong Institute
