Republican Michael Alfonso has won the race for the 7th CD.
Alfonso, a former podcast producer from Hayward, led Democrat Fred Clark of Bayfield 56.1% to 43.9% with 80% of votes counted, per the Associated Press.
The AP called the race for Alfonso shortly after 10 p.m.
The son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Alfonso will represent the same ruby-red Northwoods district that elected Duffy five times beginning in 2010. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, ran for governor instead of reelection, opening the seat.
Alfonso emerged the victor of a five-way GOP primary to take on Clark, a former state lawmaker who represented Baraboo in the Assembly for three terms.
Alfonso was boosted by contributions from the transportation lobby and outside spending by a PAC funded by Duffy’s congressional campaign account and Illinois businessman Dick Uihlein.
At 26 years old, he will be the youngest sitting member of Congress and the first member of Congress born in the 2000s.