Republican Michael Alfonso, the son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has won the election for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, securing the same House seat his father-in-law previously held.
Alfonso defeated Democratic challenger Fred Clark, a former Wisconsin state lawmaker, leading by 12.2 percentage points with nearly all votes counted Tuesday night.
The election victory is set to make Alfonso the youngest member of the incoming U.S. Congress and the first lawmaker born in the 21st century.
His mother-in-law, Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, celebrated the win in an early Wednesday post on X, highlighting the significance of his election for Generation Z.
“Michael will be the youngest member of the new Congress & the first one born in this century,” Campos-Duffy wrote. “Go Gen Z! Time to lead the way!! Michael you are a true sign of hope on a tough election night.”
Michael Alfonso, his wife Evita Duffy Alfonso, and their daughter Rosita were pictured holding “I Voted” stickers on October 31, 2026, as the Republican congressional candidate campaigned for Wisconsin’s 7th District seat.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alfonso previously worked in the construction industry and helped produce a podcast hosted by conservative commentator and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. He launched his congressional campaign in October 2025, presenting himself as a representative of Wisconsin’s Generation Z voters.
President Donald Trump endorsed Alfonso in January 2026, describing the young Republican candidate as a “MAGA Warrior” and lending his support to the campaign.
However, Alfonso faced a competitive battle for the Republican nomination. Among his leading primary opponents was Kevin Hermening, a former U.S. Marine who was one of 52 Americans held captive in Iran for 444 days during the hostage crisis that followed the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Republican congressional candidate Michael Alfonso greeted supporters and shook hands with attendees during a campaign event in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on August 4, 2026, ahead of the Republican primary for the state’s 7th Congressional District.
His primary opponent, Kevin Hermening, had deep connections within Wisconsin Republican politics, having served for decades as chairman of the Marathon County Republican Party. Hermening also played a role in helping Sean Duffy, Alfonso’s father-in-law, win his congressional seat.
Despite facing an experienced opponent in a crowded five-candidate Republican primary in August, Alfonso secured the nomination with backing from President Donald Trump and significant financial support linked to Duffy.
According to PBS Wisconsin, $1 million from Duffy’s inactive congressional campaign fund was directed through a super PAC supporting Alfonso’s election effort.
Alfonso’s fundraising activities also attracted scrutiny over contributions connected to the transportation industry. ProPublica reported that Delta Air Lines, an airline regulated by the Department of Transportation under Duffy’s leadership, was among the sponsors of a December fundraising event featuring Duffy as a special guest.
In addition, Delta Air Lines’ political action committee contributed $5,000 directly to Alfonso’s congressional campaign, raising questions about the relationship between political fundraising and industries overseen by his father-in-law’s federal agency.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke at a Boeing event in Everett, Washington, on October 20, 2026, as questions continued to surround his involvement in his son-in-law Michael Alfonso’s congressional campaign.
Responding to concerns about Duffy’s political support and fundraising connections, the Department of Transportation maintained that the secretary backed Alfonso strictly in a “personal capacity,” rather than through his official government role.
Meanwhile, Alfonso’s Democratic opponent, Fred Clark, a 67-year-old former Wisconsin state legislator and forester from Bayfield, campaigned as an “independent-minded” Democrat. Clark portrayed the election as the district’s first genuinely competitive congressional race in 15 years.
Alfonso is set to replace Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who vacated Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District seat to pursue the governorship. Tiffany’s gubernatorial campaign ultimately ended in defeat against Democrat David Crowley.
