Roger James Roth Jr. (born February 5, 1978)Senator Roger Roth: Senate District 19 (R-Appleton), Wisconsin State Legislature. is an American politician from Appleton, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate for eight years, representing Wisconsin's 19th Senate district from 2015 to 2023, and was president of the Senate during the 2017–2018 and 2019–2020 legislative terms. Before serving in the Senate, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 56th Assembly district for two terms from January 2007 until January 2011.
He was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in the 2022 election, and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2024. His uncle, Toby Roth, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for nine terms.
Early life, education, and career before politics Roth was born in Appleton, Wisconsin on February 5, 1978.Senator Roger Roth: Senate District 19 (R-Appleton), Wisconsin State Legislature. Roth graduated from St. Mary Central High School in Neenah, Wisconsin in 1996 and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 2001. He was a member of "Students for Bush" while in college, and also worked on Tommy Thompson's reelection campaign. Prior to entering politics, Roth worked for his family's homebuilding business. In 2003, Roth joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard; he served four tours of duty during the Iraq War, doing F-16 maintenance.
Political career
Roth was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican from 2007 to 2011. He supported a resolution backing a Republican lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama.Katherine Kehoe, Obama signs health care bill, Badger Herald (March 24, 2010). Roth called for the repeal of the ACA.Larry Sandler, 3 vying to take on Kagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 27, 2010).
In 2010, Roth sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives seat from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district, seeking to challenge incumbent Democratic Representative Steve Kagen. However, Roth was defeated by Reid Ribble in the Republican primary election.Craig Gilbert, Ribble wins race to oppose Kagen, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel (September 15, 2010).
In the 2014 election, Roth ran for the Wisconsin State Senate against Penny Bernard Schaber in the 19th state Senate district to replace longtime incumbent Michael Ellis, who retired after holding the seat since 1982. The seat covered Appleton and a large portion of the Fox Valley. Roth won the November 2014 election.'Republicans fend Democratic attempt at control, keep majority in Wisconsin state Senate', Minneapolis Star Tribune, Todd Richmond, November 5, 2014.Maureen McCollum, Republican Marklein Wins Schultz's Open Seat In Senate: Victory Cements GOP's Retention Of Senate Control, Wisconsin Public Radio (November 5, 2014). Roth was reelected to the state Senate in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee Lee Snodgrass.Mica Soellner, Wisconsin election: Roger Roth retains Senate seat with victory over Lee Snodgrass, Appleton Post-Crescent (November 7, 2018). Roth considered seeking the 2016 Republican nomination to fill the U.S. House seat held by Ribble, who decided not to seek reelection.Four consider run at Reid Ribble's seat, Appleton Post-Crescent (February 1, 2016). However, Roth ultimately chose not to run.Madeleine Behr, Roger Roth won't run for Reid Ribble's seat, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin (February 4, 2016).
In 2017, Roth introduced legislation in the state Senate that would abolish the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources permitting system for wetland filling, allowing developers to fill state wetlands without oversight. Fellow Republican Jim Steineke introduced a companion bill in the state Assembly. The bill was opposed by environmental and conservation groups.Environmental group rips GOP wetland permit bill, Associated Press (October 2, 2017).The Latest: Wetland exemption authors promise easier process, Associated Press (December 21, 2017). The bill was unsuccessful.Todd Richmond, Wisconsin GOP revises wetland permit exemptions bill, Associated Press (January 29, 2018).
As Senate president, Roth opposed proposals to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin.Doug Schneider, Legalizing marijuana: No quick action likely in Wisconsin despite overwhelming support at polls, Green Bay Press Gazette (November 7, 2018).
In January 2019, Roth falsely claimed that Wisconsin Republicans did not curb the powers of the incoming Democratic administration of Governor Tony Evers and State Attorney General Josh Kaul, during the lame-duck session. In fact, after Evers and Kaul unseated Republicans in the 2018 election, the Republican-majority state legislature passed, and outgoing Republican Governor Scott Walker signed, an array of last-minute bills transferring various powers from the executive to the legislature.
In 2020, Roth proposed a resolution in the Wisconsin Senate, condemning human rights abuses and atrocities by the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, including the occupation of Tibet, persecution of Uyghurs, harvesting of organs from Falun Gong practitioners and other political prisoners, and restrictions on religious freedom and freedom of speech; the resolution criticized Chinese propaganda efforts and accused the Chinese government of sustained intellectual property theft.
In January 2021, amid a campaign by President Donald Trump to subvert his defeat by Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, Roth opposed a resolution in the Wisconsin Senate to affirm Biden's victory and condemn the U.S. Capitol attack.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Roth blocked the Evers' nominees to the state technical college system board; years into Evers' governorship, the committee had refused to confirm Evers's nominees while allowing Walker's appointees to continue to serve even though their terms were expired.
In 2021, Roth and fellow Republican Shae Sortwell proposed an amendment to the Wisconsin state Constitution to eliminate elections for the state superintendent, state treasurer, and secretary of state (all positions currently held by Democrats). Roth and Sortwell's proposed amendment would convert these positions into appointed posts filled by the governor with confirmation by the state Senate.Molly Beck, Wisconsin GOP lawmakers want superintendent, treasurer and secretary of state appointed, not elected, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (September 29, 2021).
Run for lieutenant governor (2022)
On February 27, 2022, Roth announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, with a sizeable funding lead compared to his opponents.Jason Zimmerman, Wisconsin Senator Roger Roth running for Lieutenant Governor, WBAY News Staff (February 27, 2022). On August 9, 2022, he won the primary alongside Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidate and businessman Tim Michels. On November 8, 2022, the pair lost to the Democratic ticket of incumbent Governor Tony Evers and State Representative Sara Rodriguez in the general election.Ben Baker, Democrat Sara Rodriguez and Republican Roger Roth win lieutenant governor primaries to join governor tickets Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 9, 2022).
Run for U.S. House (2024)
In February 2024, Wisconsin's 8th congressional district incumbent, Mike Gallagher, announced he would not run for re-election. Within hours, Roth announced his campaign to succeed Gallagher in the U.S. House of Representatives. The open seat in the Republican-trending district attracted several prominent Republicans to consider bids, but ultimately only two others entered the race—state senator André Jacque and gas station chain owner Tony Wied. After trying to distance himself from Donald Trump in his 2022 campaign, in 2024, Roth endorsed Trump and sought his endorsement. Trump, however, endorsed the political newcomer, Wied. Trump then went on to attack Roth, saying, "Tony is running against RINO Roger Roth, who is a 'clone' of Paul Ryan, and no friend to MAGA — He should drop out of the Race NOW." Despite Trump's attacks, Roth maintained his support for Trump. Wied prevailed in the primary, receiving 41% of the vote to Roth's 34%.
Personal life and family Roger Roth Jr. is the second of four sons born to Roger Roth Sr. and his wife Karen ( Schaefer). Roger Roth Sr. is a retired realtor and a younger brother of Toby Roth, who served 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 8th congressional district.
Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (2006, 2008)
Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 2006 Primary Republican 3,411 60.41% Rep. 1,134 20.09% 5,646 2,277 Rep. 1,098 19.45% General Republican 15,472 59.04% Dem. 10,722 40.91% 26,208 4,750 2008 General Republican 20,971 59.66% Dem. 14,144 40.24% 35,149 6,827
U.S. House (2010) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2010PrimaryRepublican38,52147.95%Rep.25,70432.00%80,33612,817Rep.14,10717.56%Rep.1,9682.45%
Wisconsin Senate (2014, 2018) Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 2014 General Republican 41,628 57.17% Dem. 31,135 42.76% 72,815 10,493 2018 General Republican 43,493 53.23% Dem. 38,179 46.73% 81,701 5,314
Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (2022) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2022Primary Republican178,97230.08%Rep.109,37418.38%595,00169,598Rep.80,95313.61%Rep.79,16613.31%Rep.54,7909.21%Rep.32,0515.39%Rep.30,6405.15%Rep.27,4434.61%GeneralDemocratic1,358,77451.15%Rep.1,268,53547.75%2,656,49090,239Ind.27,1981.02%Ind.1040.00%
U.S. House (2024) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2024PrimaryRepublican42,61042.48%Rep.31,87432.53%97,99310,736Rep.23,50923.99%2024PrimaryRepublican41,93742.13%Rep.34,34434.51%99,5327,593Rep.23,18623.30%
References
External links 2024 campaign website (Archived Aug. 14, 2024) State Senate website (Archived Oct. 31, 2022) Senator Roger Roth (2021) at Wisconsin Legislature Senator Roger Roth (2015) at Wisconsin Legislature