Toby Roth

Toby Roth was born in Strasburg, North Dakota, in October 1938. During his teenage years, he moved with his family to Menasha, Wisconsin, where he graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School in 1957. He went on to attend Marquette University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1961.{{Cite web|url= https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS12519 |title= Roth, Toby 1938 |website= Wisconsin Historical Society |date= 8 August 2017 |accessdate= June 20, 2024 }}

After college, Roth went to work as a realtor in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and was assigned to the 44th General Hospital. He rose to the rank of first lieutenant before his discharge in 1967. During those years, he also became involved in several local civic organizations and became active in the local Republican Party.

In 1968, Roth made his first run for public office, launching a primary challenge against incumbent Republican state representative Ervin Conradt. Conradt represented Outagamie County's 3rd Assembly district, which then comprised roughly the western half of the county and parts of the city of Appleton.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-conradt-roth-primary/149739620/ |title= Conradt Seeks Re-Election to State Assembly |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= June 11, 1968 |page= 9 |accessdate= June 20, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Conradt had run into controversy the year before the election due to his position on municipal annexations by the city of Appleton. Roth, who was 20 years younger than Conradt, campaigned on his youth and bringing new energy to the district. He ultimately fell 841 votes short in the primary, winning the Appleton precincts but losing most of the rest of the district.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/63MVAJVDHMHFW9E |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1970 |year= 1970 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |page= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A63MVAJVDHMHFW9E/full/A75XXE3KOBEIZJ8V 805] |accessdate= June 20, 2024 }}

Four years later, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a significant redistricting law which scrapped the old county-based Assembly district system. Under the new plan, Roth resided in the 42nd Assembly district, which then comprised nearly all of the city of Appleton. The incumbent living in that district was Harold V. Froehlich, who announced early in 1972 that he would not run in the new Assembly district and would instead run for the U.S. House of Representatives.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tribune-froehlich-for-congress/149773065/ |title= Froehlich seeks Byrnes' 8th Distr. Congress seat |newspaper= The Daily Tribune |date= January 28, 1972 |page= 8 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth announced his candidacy for the 42nd Assembly district in April.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-for-assembly/149773188/ |title= Tobias Roth Announces for Froehlich's Seat |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= April 10, 1972 |page= 15 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} The Republican primary ultimately attracted three other candidates, 29-year-old former U.S. Department of Justice attorney David Prosser Jr., county supervisor Norman Austin, and 24-year-old John Birch Society sympathizer Neal Wellman. Roth was described as the front runner, as he had the deepest roots in the district at that time.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-prosser-roth-debate/149773716/ |title= Prosser Claims Candidates Avoided Discussing Issues |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= August 29, 1972 |page= 31 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} The race ultimately came down to a contest between Prosser and Roth, with Roth prevailing by 1,127 votes.{{cite report|url=https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R |title= The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book |year= 1973 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R/full/ATYHRIIHMOODEC8W 808], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R/full/AJBQJEEUDWMLEQ9E 827] |accessdate= June 21, 2024 }} In the general election, Roth easily defeated Democratic candidate Thomas Lonsway. Roth won re-election in 1974 and 1976, serving six years in the Assembly. Republicans were in the minority for all of Roth's years in the Assembly, but he served on the Judiciary committee in 1975 and 1977 when pivotal judicial reform amendments were passed.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/XFTVPSYH4JPMZ8D |title= The State of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book |year= 1977 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Biographies and Pictures |page= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXFTVPSYH4JPMZ8D/full/AD6NUFPN35V6BV8Z 49] |accessdate= June 21, 2024 }}

File:1972_WI_Cong_08.svg

On February 18, 1978, Roth announced he would run for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district, challenging incumbent Democrat Robert John Cornell. In his announcement, Roth blasted the U.S. Congress and the Jimmy Carter administration for wasteful spending and over-regulation, and attacked Cornell for voting for an increase in social security payroll taxes, while also voting for a pay increase and maintaining a separate retirement system for members of Congress.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-congress/149776522/ |title= Roth to Run for Congress |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= February 19, 1978 |page= 3 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} The 8th congressional district (then and now) comprised roughly the northeast quadrant of the state.

Roth faced only one opponent in the 1978 Republican primary, former American Party candidate Donald Hoeft. Attorney John W. Byrnes Jr. (son of former U.S. representative John W. Byrnes) briefly ran in the Republican primary but withdrew.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-byrnes-not-running/149791566/ |title= Byrnes won't run for GOP 8th District seat |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= April 10, 1978 |page= 3 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth easily defeated Hoeft and went on to face Cornell in the general election.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/KCFKES24WHTNW8F |title= The State of Wisconsin 1979–1980 Blue Book |year= 1979 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKCFKES24WHTNW8F/full/AZ53DWVJM7PFZX82 901], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKCFKES24WHTNW8F/full/AKOOXNXKP2MJKI8V 919] |accessdate= June 21, 2024 }} In the general election, Roth resumed his attacks on Cornell based largely on Cornell's voting record in Congress. His vote for a congressional pay raise remained a frequent talking point, and Roth also suggested Cornell's votes in favor of government spending were fueling the inflation crisis.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-campaign-ad/149791918/ |title= Toby Roth for Congress (ad) |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= November 5, 1978 |page= 25 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth won a substantial victory in the general election, receiving 58% of the vote and unseating the incumbent, Cornell.

Roth's first term, in the 96th Congress, was uneventful politically, but both his parents died during his first year. Roth signed onto Jack Kemp's dramatic tax cut proposal, voted against expanding oil drilling in Alaska, and voted against tax increases on oil producers. His most news-making controversy during this term was a story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which quoted unnamed staffers from Roth's congressional office expressing disillusionment with the amount of time spent on politics and re-election rather than government. The story mentioned that the staff combed through dozens of daily Wisconsin newspapers and sent out clippings with personalized notes from the congressman commending the subjects in those stories. The article was discussed in papers around the state, and led Roth's political opponents to accuse him of obsessing over re-election.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-staff/149797010/ |title= Roth counters criticism from staff |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= February 10, 1980 |page= 24 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Leading the criticism was Roth's 1978 opponent, Robert J. Cornell, who seemed intent on a rematch in 1980. Cornell, who was also a Catholic priest, ultimately withdrew from the race in May 1980, citing Pope John Paul II's order that clergy withdraw from political activity.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-cornell-not-running/149797529/ |title= Cornell bows to papal order, drops campaign |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= May 6, 1980 |page= 27 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Instead, Roth faced a challenge from former Green Bay mayor Michael Monfils.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-monfils-house/149797779/ |title= Monfils joins House race |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= May 19, 1980 |page= 1 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth easily prevailed in the general election, receiving 68% of the vote.

The 1980 election also ushered in the Ronald Reagan administration. Roth, as a long-time opponent of government regulations, was called on to assist Vice President George H. W. Bush in his study of the impact of the current regulatory regime. Roth's hometown, Appleton, became a prototype for a study by Bush's task force.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-1981/149836584/ |title= Working vacation is fun for Roth |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= August 5, 1981 |page= 4 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }} During the 97th Congress, Roth was also one of two members of Congress invited to discuss the American economy with the European Parliament in Brussels.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-1981/149836314/ |title= Roth sees move to fewer federal regulations |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= July 3, 1981 |page= 15 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }} Roth generally remained in lock-step with the new Reagan administration through tax cuts, regulatory rollbacks, and cuts to domestic spending; he broke with Reagan, however, over cuts to a milk subsidy program which benefited Wisconsin dairy farmers.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-milk-subsid/149837038/ |title= A general stand |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= March 22, 1982 |page= 12 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}

File:1982_WI_Cong_08.svg

In the 1982 election, Roth was challenged by Ruth Clusen, a former Carter administration appointee in the Department of Energy and former national president of the League of Women Voters.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-clusen-congress/149837365/ |title= Ruth Clusen to challenge Toby Roth |first= John Patrick |last= Hunter |newspaper=The Capital Times |date= April 17, 1982 |page= 3 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Clusen's campaign largely focused on attacks against Reagan's policies and linking Roth to the outcomes. She pointed out that two years of Reaganomics had increased the unemployment rate from 7% to 10% and the budget deficit had increased. Roth doubled down on Reagan's policies, suggesting that deeper cuts were needed.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-1982-wi-08/149837897/ |title= On the campaign trail... |first= Dennis |last= Chaptman |newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= October 24, 1982 |page= 15 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} The 1982 election saw a Democratic wave, but Roth still safely won re-election with 57% of the vote.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X |title= The State of Wisconsin 1983–1984 Blue Book |year= 1983 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert

|editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X/full/AAIB2XSUGDYJYI9C 884], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X/full/AQH32QB5OHV7RL8X 905] |accessdate= June 21, 2024 }}

During the 98th Congress, Roth became more involved in foreign policy through membership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was strongly opposed to U.S. involvement in the Lebanese Civil War; a month before the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, Roth described the deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut as a "tragedy waiting to happen".{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-war-powers-beirut/149838769/ |title= War Powers goes to Senate |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= September 29, 1983 |page= 2 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-lebanon-debate/149838895/ |title= 2 panels at odds on Marines policy |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} After the bombing, Roth reiterated his position and criticized the Reagan administration for putting the marines in an impossible situation.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-lebanon/149839079/ |title= Roth: Marines sitting ducks |newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= November 22, 1983 |page= 1 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }} In the 1984 election, Roth faced Vietnam veteran Paul F. Willems, who served as a campaign manager for Clusen two years earlier.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-debate-wi-08/149841143/ |title= Candidates spar on incumbent's record |first= William D. |last= Zaferos |newspaper=The Post-Crescent |date= October 21, 1984 |page= 17 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth easily won re-election with 67% of the vote.{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/TH64IFYQF6YFR8L |title= The State of Wisconsin 1985–1986 Blue Book |year= 1985 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATH64IFYQF6YFR8L/full/AUNSQHEMZRKZHA8J 902], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATH64IFYQF6YFR8L/full/A4COKVCJQQ2UXH8H 920] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }}

In the 99th Congress, Roth opposed a new push for sanctions against apartheid South Africa, suggesting the U.S. should offer incentives for reform instead.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-on-apartheid/149842483/ |title= Roth: incentives over sanctions |first= Tom |last= Fischer |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= May 15, 1985 |page= 17 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth had also been a long-time supporter of nuclear talks with the Soviet Union and celebrated the progress of the Geneva talks and Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to the United States in 1986.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-nuclear-talks/149842967/ |title= Summit rapport was No. 1 accomplishment |first= Toby |last= Roth |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= November 30, 1985 |page= 4 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }} Another major Roth priority was expanding American exports; during the 99th Congress, he authored a successful renewal of the Export Administration Act of 1979, which had lapsed during the previous congress.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-1985/149843564/ |title= Roth says he's pleased with his achievements |first= Tim |last= Cuprisin |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= May 30, 1985 |page= 4 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} After the West Berlin discotheque bombing and the Reagan administration's subsequent retaliatory bombing in Libya, Roth criticized the military response and advocated for de-escalation.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-libya/149847697/ |title= Roth sees no benefit in attacks |first= William D. |last= Zaferos |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= April 15, 1986 |page= 1 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} In the 1986 election, Roth won another easy re-election, defeating Paul Williems by a margin nearly identical to their 1984 matchup.{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/KW3XV2DGSUDCO8L |title= State of Wisconsin 1987–1988 Blue Book |year= 1987 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Barish |editor-first2= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKW3XV2DGSUDCO8L/full/AWUSFCVHBJQNQI8K 884], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKW3XV2DGSUDCO8L/full/A6GFRIBTNZT32H8G 902] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }}

Following the Iran–Contra scandal, Roth opposed amnesty for Oliver North and John Poindexter.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-1987/149851045/ |title= Roth: Congress must deal with deficit |newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= November 24, 1987 |page= 9 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} He continued to oppose sanctions against South Africa, and described the sanctions as ineffective after visiting South Africa in 1987.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-apartheid/149851328/ |title= Roth says sanctions against South Africa ineffective |first= Scott |last= Hildebrand |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= October 3, 1987 |page=9 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} He also continued to oppose intervention in the middle east, criticizing U.S. involvement in the Iran–Iraq War and Reagan's plans to offer U.S. Navy protection for Kuwaiti oil shipping.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-kuwait/149852163/ |title= Roth decries Reagan plan to protect Kuwaiti tankers |first= William |last= Ringle |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= June 3, 1987 |page= 2 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-gulf/149853678/ |title= Roth says U.S. is too involved in gulf war |first= Scott |last= Hildebrand |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= June 19, 1987 |page= 2 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} During the 100th Congress, Wisconsin's senior U.S. senator William Proxmire announced his plan to retire; Roth was frequently mentioned as a potential candidate, but he ultimately chose to remain in the House.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-senate/149852641/ |title= Roth not hinting at Senate |first= William D. |last= Zaferos |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= October 31, 1987 |page= 3 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth easily won his sixth term in 1988, defeating retired mine worker Robert Baron.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/GWSZSEDPAWDVC84 |title= State of Wisconsin 1989–1990 Blue Book |year= 1989 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGWSZSEDPAWDVC84/full/AC6RB2EF25QGWE8W 906], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGWSZSEDPAWDVC84/full/ARCED23VTKEGYX8N 921] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }}

During the 101st Congress, Roth's use of congressional resources were scrutinized again, when another former staffer accused the office of abusing his taxpayer-funded congressional staff to bolster his re-election campaigns.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-staff/149861774/ |title= Roth misused office to campaign, ex-aides say |first= Chuck |last= Raasch |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= February 2, 1989 |page= 1 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }} The aide also alleged that, at Roth's urging, he used a personal connection to alter Roth's biography in the 1986 edition of The Almanac of American Politics, to describe Roth as "an expert in international trade."{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-staff/149867755/ |title= Ex-aide says Roth urged, got almanac changed |first= Chuck |last= Raasch |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= February 2, 1989 |page= 13 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth denied that he had done anything improper, and not formal complaint was ever raised.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal-roth-staff/149867335/ |title= Roth denies allegations by former aides |newspaper= Stevens Point Journal |date= February 4, 1989 |page= 5 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} In 1990, Roth faced his first contested primary since 1978, but easily defeated police officer David Hermes.{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/LVXTGFG6N2TVJ8P |title= State of Wisconsin 1991–1992 Blue Book |year= 1991 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin

|pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ALVXTGFG6N2TVJ8P/full/AUQARCJ74G7P2H8D 894], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ALVXTGFG6N2TVJ8P/full/A7YY7XV4M3PHSG8S 911] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }} At the general election, however, Roth faced the toughest re-election fight of his career against state senator Jerome Van Sistine. In the campaign, Van Sistine made an issue of Roth's use of staff resources for campaigning. He also criticized Roth's opposition to Operation Desert Shield, embracing the Bush administration policy. Van Sistine also pointed to Roth's vote on the 1979 banking deregulation bill as a cause of the recent savings and loan crisis, and suggested Roth's views on the subsequent bailouts were influenced by thousands of dollars he received while serving on the House Banking Committee in the 1980s.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-van-sistine-congress/149870123/ |title= Van Sistine believes his performance as a lawmaker prevails |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= October 21, 1990 |pages= 8–9 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Roth prevailed in the election with just 53% of the vote, the closest election of his career.

Roth won two more terms, in 1992 and 1994, with large electoral margins.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/6GO4S5JO5BQTO8M |title= State of Wisconsin 1993–1994 Blue Book |year= 1993 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin

|pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A6GO4S5JO5BQTO8M/full/AEBCXWMTBC5Q4U83 899], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A6GO4S5JO5BQTO8M/full/AKBRCM6TGFISCM9B 918] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/YPHDP7TNI56WH8E |title= State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book |year= 1995 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin

|pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AYPHDP7TNI56WH8E/full/ALKSVSBN2XVH2I87 899], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AYPHDP7TNI56WH8E/full/AAHJFAAHK7TRMT8Q 917] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }} He served only one term in the majority, during the 104th Congress, when he was chairman of the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.

Roth announced in March 1996 that he would not run for a tenth term.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-retiring/149871958/ |title= Roth won't come back to Congress |first= Judy |last =Williams |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= March 4, 1996 |page= 1 |accessdate=June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Before leaving office, Roth endorsed Assembly speaker David Prosser Jr. to succeed him and campaigned vigorously to support him in the general election.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-roth-for-green/149872645/ |title= Toby Roth will campaign for Green |first= Tom |last= Cioni |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= August 20, 1998 |page= 16 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Prosser won the primary, but ultimately fell 10,000 votes short of Democrat Jay Johnson in the general election.{{Cite report|url= https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AV57G6QVOUSNPG8T |title= State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 Blue Book |year= 1997 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AV57G6QVOUSNPG8T/full/A6Z6W4LLOUU7XG82 880], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AV57G6QVOUSNPG8T/full/A2UH5LPBCE2K569D 883] |accessdate= June 22, 2024 }} Roth left office in January 1997, and nearly immediately set up his own lobbying shop in Washington, D.C., known as the Roth Group Inc.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-lobbying/149873287/ |title= Roth tacks up his 'lobbyist' shingle in Washington |first= Bob |last= Vitale |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= February 26, 1998 |page= 13 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} During those years, he also made his home in Great Falls, Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000459|title=Roth, Toby A.|accessdate=2007-01-09|publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}} He also subsequently became an owner of racing horses.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-horses/149873637/ |title= Horses give Roth new kind of race |first= Benjamin |last= Wideman |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= June 2, 2003 |page= 13 |accessdate= June 22, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}

Tobias Roth was one of five sons born to Kasper Roth and his wife Julia ({{nee}} Roehrich). Kasper Roth ran a successful construction contracting business in Menasha for over 20 years. The Roths are members of the Catholic Church.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-obituary-for-kasper-ro/149799447/ |title= Kasper Roth Sr. |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= November 12, 1979 |page= 31 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-obituary-for-mrs-juli/149799617/ |title= Mrs. Kasper Roth Sr. |newspaper= The Post Crescent |date= May 21, 1979 |page= 30 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}

Tobias' elder brother, Joseph Roth, was struck and killed by a car while jogging in 1975.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-obituary-for-joseph-k/149799993/ |title= Joseph K. Roth |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= June 2, 1976 |page= 27 |accessdate= June 21, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} Tobias' younger brother, Roger, went to work with him in the realty business. Roger's son, Roger J. Roth Jr., went on to serve as president of the Wisconsin Senate and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2024.{{Cite news|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/10/26/politics-runs-deep-roger-roth/17965969/|title=Politics runs deep for Roger Roth|work=Post-Crescent Media|access-date=2017-08-23|language=en}}

Tobias Roth married Barbara M. Fischer in 1964.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-roth-fischer-marriage/149738714/ |title=Marriage Licenses |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= November 22, 1964 |page= 42 |accessdate= June 20, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }} They have three adult children, and now spend much of their time in Naples, Florida.

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{{s-non|reason = District established by {{nowrap|[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1971/related/acts/304.pdf 1971 Wis. Act 304]}} }}

{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the 42nd district}} |years= January 1, 1973{{spnd}}January 1, 1979 }}

{{s-aft|after = David Prosser Jr. }}

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{{US House succession box | state=Wisconsin | district=8 | before=Robert John Cornell |after=Jay W. Johnson |years=January 3, 1979{{spnd}}January 3, 1997}}

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{{s-bef|before=Steve King|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
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{{s-aft|after=Bob Dornan|as=Former US Representative}}

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Category:1938 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Emmons County, North Dakota

Category:People from Menasha, Wisconsin

Category:Politicians from Appleton, Wisconsin

Category:American real estate brokers

Category:United States Army reservists

Category:Military personnel from Wisconsin

Category:Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin

Category:Members of Congress who became lobbyists

Category:Catholic politicians from Wisconsin

Category:20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature

Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives