Michael Alfonso, 26, the son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has won the Republican nomination for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. Duffy previously held the seat, representing the northern Wisconsin district from 2011 to 2019.
Alfonso defeated fellow Republicans Jessi Ebben, Kevin Hermening, Niina Threlfall-Baum, and Cheryl Ann Runkel in the primary contest. President Donald Trump endorsed Alfonso on his Truth Social platform, calling him a "MAGA warrior" and a young "STAR," citing his support for energy, the Second Amendment, and border and election security.
During the primary, Alfonso faced criticism regarding his age and the influence of his prominent in-laws. Meg Ellefson, a Wisconsin-based podcaster, accused Duffy of "exploiting his Cabinet position and fame to influence an election and hand one of the nation's offices to his unqualified, 26-year-old son-in-law." Ellefson stated she was "utterly disgusted by this blatant manipulation of voters" and supported one of Alfonso's primary opponents.
Critics also pointed to campaign contributions Alfonso received from transportation interests, suggesting they were intended to lobby Secretary Duffy. A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, Nathaniel Sizemore, told the Daily Mail that Secretary Duffy adheres to established ethics rules, with career ethics officials at the USDOT screening and advising on his attendance at campaign or fundraising events. Sizemore emphasized that Duffy's campaign work has been conducted in his personal capacity and that his department's focus remains on executing the President's transportation agenda.
Alfonso is married to Evita Duffy-Alfonso, 26, the eldest daughter of Sean Duffy and Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy.
The vacancy in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District was created when Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany opted to run for governor, a race he also won on Tuesday. The district has been a Republican stronghold for the past 15 years.
Alfonso's wedding in 2022 was attended by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.
The Duffy family, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his daughter Evita, have been seen at White House events.
A campaign event for Alfonso showed attendees expressing support.
