What you need to know about Roger Roth, the lieutenant governor nominee running with Tim Michels – Post-Crescent

Roger Roth,a senator in the state Legislature, emerged from a crowded field of eight candidates to become the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

Roth joins construction executive Tim Michels on the GOP ticket to challenge incumbent Gov. Tony Evers.

Here is what to know about Roth, a Republican from Appleton, as voters head into the general election.

Roth, 44, was first elected to the Legislature in 2006 after mounting a successful bid to represent the 56th Assembly District. Heserved two terms before running for the 8th Congressional District in 2010. He was defeated in the Republican primary by former Rep. Reid Ribble.

Roth ran for state Senate in 2014 and won his race in the 19th District by more than 10,000 votes and has represented the district in Madison since.

Roth served aspresident of the Senate from 2017-21. The senate president is elected by fellow senators and presides over daily proceedings in the upper house of the Legislature.

As a college student, he became involved in Republican politics working for then-Gov.Tommy Thompsons campaign.

Roth was a homebuilder and Air National Guard veteran who served multiple tours in Iraq.

Roth is from Appleton where he currently lives with his wife and five sons. He attended high school in Neenah and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Roth is a fiscal and social conservative who has been a staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act. Roth spearheaded numerous lawsuits aimed at curtailing Evers' COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and mandates. Roth oversaw efforts to restrict Evers powers during the lame duck session between the election of Evers and his inauguration.

Roth blocked multiple nominees put forth by Evers for technical college board positionsand has been a party to efforts designed to limit the Department of Natural Resources regulatory powers.

Roth also led efforts to force a vote on firing former Parole Commission Chairman John Tate and presided over the rejection of Brad Pfaff for agriculture secretary.

Roth supported calls to break up the Milwaukee public school district, has advocated for eliminating the state income tax, signaled an openness to legalizing recreational marijuana,and is in favor of placing restrictions on abortion access.

During his campaign launch, Roth said he believes Wisconsinites "want a change in direction," and added he believes his candidacy "will help empower whomever wins the Republican governor's race to help move Wisconsin forward."

Party spokesperson Anna Kelly said: "With his Fox Valley roots, military background, legislative accomplishments, and business experience, Roger Roth is an excellent complement to Tim Michels on the Republican ticket. Roth would bring a record of cutting taxes, creating jobs and promoting school choice to Madison, and we look forward to getting him across the finish line in November."

In his most recent reelection campaign for the state Senate, Roth won by roughly 5,000 votes and a margin of 53.2%. He enjoyed a dominant performance over his primary opponents for lieutenant governor, netting 30.1% of the vote and defeating the runner-up by about 69,000 votes.

Roths Madison office can be reached by calling 608-266-0718 or emailing sen.roth@legis.wisconsin.gov.

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What you need to know about Roger Roth, the lieutenant governor nominee running with Tim Michels - Post-Crescent