MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The youngest candidate in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race is a 22-year-old college student who says he wants to represent people tired of career politicians.

Zachary Roper, a political science major at Carthage College, is running for governor after an unsuccessful bid for Assembly in 2024. He says his professors encouraged him to seek the state’s top executive position.

Vanessa Kjeldsen: Why do you want to be governor?

Zachary Roper: I want to be governor because I want to represent the people of Wisconsin. I feel that the people have just had career politicians their entire life and we really need to get new leadership in the office.

VK: What would be your top priority as governor?

ZR: I have kind of two top priorities, but the top one would be education. I want to get more money into the schools… And then the other one is bipartisanship. We need to work together with the other side, reach across the aisle.

VK: You are the youngest candidate in this race. What perspective does that bring?

ZR: It brings a new perspective. I think many people overlook me for being a 22-year-old college student but it brings a new perspective to the young people.

VK: You previously ran unsuccessfully for Assembly. Now you’re running for the top executive position in this state. Why not run for something smaller first?

ZR: I have been asked that a lot, actually. I’ve been asked that numerous amount of times. My opponent, when I lost in 2024, actually said, you know, maybe run for city council. But my professors at the end of last year, sat me down and said, you have a vision for the state that most others do not at this time. We think you should try running for governor.

VK: So it was your professors at college that inspired you to run?

ZR: Yes, it was.

VK: How is balancing campaign season with your college classes?

ZR: It’s actually quite fun. My professors think it’s like a fun thing, though. They sometimes call me out. They’re like, hey, Zach, you know, you can use this for your campaign. I’m like, oh, I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it.

VK: What specifically would you change from the Evers administration?

ZR: The Evers administration has been focusing too hard on what Republicans want to do… The Republicans have controlled the new budget, and that to me was not a good thing.

VK: It is a Republican-controlled legislature. That makes it difficult for budget negotiations for a Democratic governor. How would you have worked through that differently than Evers did?

ZR: I would have asked them what concessions can they give. And if they came back to me with a list of concessions that they can give, I can come back with the concessions I can give.

VK: Do you expect to stay in the primary through August? Or is there a time that you would maybe drop out, endorse another Democrat?

ZR: I have thought about maybe dropping out and endorsing another candidate… I just haven’t seen a candidate that really stands out to me at this point.

VK: What’s your dream job?

ZR: Dream job? President, aiming for the top, as my parents always say.

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