(The Center Square) – The Republican running in one of the WOW counties’ senate districts says his race is almost as important as the race for governor.
Dr. Mike Roberts is looking to replace Rob Hutton in the Wisconsin Senate and says his race could decide who has control of the entire state legislature.
“I was talking to one of the [police] chiefs in our district, and I said ‘when it comes to law enforcement and supporting law enforcement, the [police] chief up in Superior has probably never cared about District 5 Senate. He needs to now,’” Roberts said in an interview on News Talk 1130 WISN. “Because I will most likely be the swing vote when it comes down to a vote.”
Hutton announced last month that he is not running for re-election, and Roberts jumped into the race last week.
State Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Waukesha, is the only Democrat in the race so far.
“I bring real-world experience and accountability to government,” Roberts added. “I’ve built and run a business. I’ve managed budgets. I’ve worked closely with law enforcement. And I have spent my career in health care solving complex problems where consequences matter.”
Roberts is a physical therapist with his own clinic in Wauwatosa. He said his background as a doctor will be key in both the campaign and what he hopes to do in office.
“Before we expand or reinvent coverage, we need to fix access,” Roberts explained. “We gotta make sure doctors, nurses, therapists, and rural providers especially, can afford to stay in practice. We also need to focus on prevention and cause upfront, not just insurance expansion after people get sick.”
Almost all of the seven Democrats who are running for governor want to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin.
Roberts said he is trying to make his senate district race into a statewide race. And he is not underselling its importance.
“I’m coming at this with a statewide approach,” Roberts said. “Almost all of us want the same things. We all want a better economy. We all want better health care. We all want safe communities. And we all want the best education for our children.”
Republicans currently have a three-vote majority in the Senate.
Democrats in Wisconsin are hoping the recently redrawn legislative maps are enough to flip the State Senate and perhaps the Assembly this fall.
