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Michael Alfonso Wins GOP Primary For Wisconsin's 7th District

Michael Alfonso won the Republican primary in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.[1]

The 7th District stretches across northwestern Wisconsin into the central part of the state and is currently represented by GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor.[1] The Cook Political Report rates the seat as solid Republican.[1] President Donald Trump endorsed Alfonso in January 2026, calling him "a young 'STAR.'" CBS News

Alfonso is the son-in-law of former Rep. Sean Duffy.[2] Duffy flipped the 7th from Democratic to Republican in 2010 and resigned in 2019, citing health complications of his ninth child.[1] With Tiffany seeking the governor's office, the open GOP-held seat made the primary the decisive contest for who would carry the party into November.

Democrats also selected nominees in key Wisconsin districts on Tuesday as primary voting wrapped up.[1] Alfonso now advances to the November general election in a district where Republicans begin with a clear advantage.

  1. CBS News
  2. New York Times
2026 Elections Congressional Races Republican Party U.S. House Races
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📌 Key Facts

  • CBS News projects on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, that Michael Alfonso won the Republican primary in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
  • Wisconsin's 7th District stretches across northwestern Wisconsin into the central part of the state and is currently represented by GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor.
  • Cook Political Report rates Wisconsin's 7th District as solid Republican.
  • The seat was held by Democrats for decades until Sean Duffy flipped it in 2010; Duffy later resigned in 2019, citing health complications of his ninth child.
  • President Donald Trump endorsed Alfonso in January 2026, calling him "a young 'STAR.'"

📰 Source Timeline (2)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

August 12, 2026
3:03 AM
Dems pick nominees in key Wisc. districts as Sean Duffy's son-in-law wins GOP primary
CBS News
New information:
  • CBS News projects on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, that Michael Alfonso won the Republican primary in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
  • The article specifies the 7th District stretches across northwestern Wisconsin into the central part of the state and is currently represented by GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor.
  • The Cook Political Report rates Wisconsin's 7th District as solid Republican.
  • The seat was held by Democrats for decades until Sean Duffy flipped it in 2010; Duffy resigned in 2019 citing health complications of his ninth child.
  • President Donald Trump endorsed Alfonso in January 2026, calling him "a young 'STAR.'"