U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy endorsed the primary opponent of GOP Rep. Chanz Green over the weekend, calling Scott Harbridge “America first, Wisconsin first.”

The backing has raised eyebrows among Republicans, particularly with it coming days after Chanz, R-Mason, told a podcast that he believes Kevin Hermening is the better candidate in the 7th CD GOP primary over Duffy’s son-in-law, Michael Alfonso.

GOP state Sen. Romaine Quinn, who has endorsed Hermening, said it was “crazy” for Duffy to support a primary challenge of a sitting Republican lawmaker who has the support of his caucus. Harbridge is again challenging Green after losing to him in the 2024 primary by 921 votes.

“I’m incredibly disappointed,” said Quinn, of Birchwood. “Sean didn’t weigh in last time when there was this match. He only weighed in this time, and it’s clear that it’s because Chanz wouldn’t support Michael Alfonso. I think this is politics at its worst.”

Duffy, who represented the 7th CD from 2011-19, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment left with an intermediary. 

Green, first elected to the seat in 2022, appeared on the DrydenWire podcast last week and was asked about the GOP primary in the 7th CD. 

Green said he liked Hermening and believed he was the most qualified for the seat, with him having served as a Marine and run a small business.

“Like I said, I think it’s Michael’s to lose, but I think Kevin’s the better candidate, and we will see next Tuesday,” Green said.

Harbridge, of Radisson, who served in the Army and worked as a sergeant for the Department of Corrections, posted a video to Facebook on Sunday featuring Duffy.

“This guy is America first, Wisconsin first, he believes in election integrity,” Duffy said while standing next to Harbridge. “It’s this kind of leadership that we need in Madison.”

Harbridge added that we need the “right Republicans in there in the primary so we have the right Republicans in there for the general election.”