Former GOP U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy is promising to help President-elect Trump to “usher in a new golden age of transportation” after he was nominated to join the cabinet.
Trump late Monday announced he had tapped Duffy for Transportation secretary, saying the former 7th CD lawmaker will “greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans.”
During his time in Congress, Duffy’s committee assignments largely focused on the financial sector. That includes the Committee on Financial Services, and he chaired the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. According to Open Secrets, Duffy lobbied on miscellaneous transportation issues while at BGR Group.
In a statement, Trump said Duffy ”will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports.
“He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security, and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.”
Duffy, 53, was elected to northern Wisconsin’s 7th CD in 2010. He then abruptly resigned in September 2019 after announcing that his ninth child, who was due that fall, had a heart condition. The girl was born with Down syndrome.
Duffy was a prominent Trump backer while in Congress, and the former president publicly encouraged him in October 2021 to run for Wisconsin guv the following year. Duffy, who had already moved his family to New Jersey as he began work at Fox News, declined the overture.
Wisconsin Republicans praised the move.
U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, called Duffy a man of integrity who “will bring common-sense Wisconsin leadership that our country sorely needs right now!”
Duffy starred on MTV reality shows “Real World: Boston” and others before he was appointed Ashland County DA in 2002. He served in that role until resigning in 2010 to focus full-time on his bid for Congress. Duffy also has competed in lumberjack competitions and served as a commentator on the sport. He met his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy after they starred together on MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars.” She has also been a regular on Fox News, as well as a conservative activist.
–This item was updated Nov. 19, 2024, with additional comment.
