Michael Alfonso, the son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is projected to win the Republican nomination in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, having secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Alfonso, who ran on a platform aligned with the MAGA agenda, emphasized issues such as ending "Marxist race and gender indoctrination in classrooms" and opposing significant funding for foreign aid.
If successful in the November general election, Alfonso, at 27 years old, would be among the youngest members of Congress. His primary victory is seen as a demonstration of Trump's continued influence in Republican politics. Alfonso faced scrutiny from some within the party regarding his relative political inexperience and the perceived influence of his father-in-law.
Alfonso, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, worked in construction before becoming a producer for Dan Bongino’s podcast. Bongino is a former Fox News host and an ally of Trump. Alfonso also appeared with Duffy in a reality series trailer titled "Great American Road Trip," which features companies regulated by the Department of Transportation, some of which also contributed to Alfonso’s campaign.
Duffy, who represented Wisconsin’s 7th District from 2010 to 2019, actively supported Alfonso’s campaign. He appeared at campaign events with Alfonso and helped solicit donations from transportation lobbyists, which drew accusations of nepotism. Alfonso’s campaign also received a $1 million donation from Duffy, drawn from his previous congressional campaign account.
Prior to the primary, Alfonso garnered endorsements from several prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Alfonso's campaign website stated that he was inspired by his grandfather's escape from communist Cuba and by conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.