Michael Alfonso, 26, is poised to become the youngest member of Congress after winning Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday.
The Republican will take office in January. His campaign centered on the cost of living and his promise to help restore the American Dream—issues he said matter to him personally as a new father.
Alfonso said he plans to put Wisconsin and the country first, with a focus on making life more affordable and prioritizing the prosperity of American citizens.
He defeated Democrat Fred Clark, a former state lawmaker. The district was previously represented by Alfonso’s father-in-law, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Alfonso will succeed Rep. Tom Tiffany, who chose not to run again as he pursues the Wisconsin governorship.
Endorsed by President Donald Trump and Duffy, Alfonso has pledged to support first-time homebuyers, lower health care costs and protect individual freedoms. He has also promised to bring a younger generation of conservative leadership to Washington.
Another campaign pledge is to introduce legislation that would bar transgender women and girls from using facilities designated for women, as part of an effort to strengthen Title IX protections.
Duffy publicly backed his son-in-law, pointing to Alfonso’s working-class roots and experience in construction. He said he valued the idea of electing someone familiar with hard physical work and long days on the job.
Born in February 2000, Alfonso works as an accountant for the Diocese of Superior. He lives in Hayward, Wisconsin, with his wife and their five-month-old daughter.
Before running for office, Alfonso worked in construction and concrete while studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He later spent time in Florida, where he worked as a producer for “The Dan Bongino Show.”
Trump endorsed Alfonso in May, calling him a “MAGA warrior” and a rising star. Alfonso described the endorsement as a great honor and said he would support the president’s agenda in Congress.
Asked about his age and limited political experience in an Election Day interview, Alfonso argued that veteran politicians had not delivered the results voters wanted. He pointed to longtime Democratic leaders and said the country had already tried that approach.
During the Republican primary, rivals criticized Alfonso’s family connections and questioned whether they had helped his campaign. They also raised concerns about his donors.
