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.
In a statement, Alfonso said he would “take the values of Faith, Family and Freedom to Congress.”
“I want a WI-7 that values faith and protects the right to worship. That respects the sanctity of life. That recognizes biological reality and protects young girls in their sports and their locker rooms. And that defends your Second Amendment right to protect yourself and your family,” Alfonso said.
He also said he would work to make the 7th CD affordable for young people.
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.