Sean Duffy's son-in-law Michael Alfonso runs for Wisconsin House seat
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The gist
Republican Michael Alfonso, 26, is running in Wisconsin's 7th District against Democrat Fred Clark.
If elected, he would be the youngest sitting member of Congress.
Background
Michael Alfonso is the Republican candidate for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, a construction professional and media producer with a math degree who is the son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The seat is open because its former representative, Tom Tiffany, is running for governor. Alfonso has Trump's endorsement and backing from conservative figures and groups, and he says conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination inspired him to run.
How it unfolded
- Mar 18, 2026ProPublica reports Alfonso's congressional campaign is fueled by transportation lobby money.
- Jul 6, 2026AP reports Alfonso, 26, is leaning into Trump's endorsement and says Charlie Kirk's assassination inspired him to run.
- Aug 2026Alfonso advances from a five-candidate Republican primary; Democrat Fred Clark wins a three-way Democratic primary.
- Oct 29, 2026WSAW publishes a 1-on-1 interview with Alfonso; it notes he would be the youngest person in Congress if elected.
- Oct 31, 2026Alfonso joins Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany's Common Sense Bus Tour stop in Ladysmith, where protesters were also present.
Who’s saying what
- Alfonso
- Alfonso says polls are "fake," that "Republicans don't answer polls," and that no one he has talked to across the district has had a polling call.
- Analysts
- Decision Desk HQ's forecast gave Alfonso a 94% chance of defeating Clark and rated the seat likely Republican.
- Alfonso
- On experience criticism, Alfonso says George Washington and Thomas Jefferson "were 26 when they were first elected to public office."
Still unverified
Alfonso disputes unfavorable polling, claiming the polls are "fake" and that "Republicans don't answer polls."