Michael Alfonso defeated Jessi Ebben, Kevin Hermening, Donald Raihala, and Niina Threlfall-Baum in the Republican primary for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District on Aug. 11. Alfonso, Ebben, Hermening, and Threlfall-Baum led in media attention. Incumbent Tom Tiffany (R) ran for governor of Wisconsin.
Alfonso, Ebben, and Hermening campaigned as self-described America First Republicans, a term associated with President Donald Trump (R) and his political agenda. Threlfall-Baum said she ran as a moderate Republican.
Alfonso is the son-in-law of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who represented the 7th District from 2011 to 2019. Trump endorsed Alfonso on Jan. 27, 2026.
In a May 2026 episode of The Insiders, Wisconsin's former Senate majority leader Chuck Chvala (D) and former Assembly speaker Scott Jensen (R) discussed how family connections, endorsements, and fundraising could have affected the primary. Speaking on connections and endorsements, Jensen said, "Duffy is doing everything he can to raise money and to raise his son-in-law's profile. He even went out and got the president to endorse him. You would think that would be enough to decide that race."
Republican donors Dick and Liz Uihlein donated at least $1 million each to PACs supporting Alfonso and Ebben's campaigns, respectively. Owners of Uline, a shipping and business supplies company, the Uihleins usually supported the same candidates, with the last divergence occurring during the 2022 gubernatorial race, when Liz supported Rebecca Kleefisch (R) and Dick backed Kevin Nicholson (R). Writing in 2023, Politico's Alex Isenstadt said, "The split between the Uihleins ... has come to represent the rift cleaving the Republican Party writ large. While Liz has spent millions of dollars buttressing the party hierarchy ... Dick has invested even more heavily in tearing it down, pouring millions into ... insurgent groups." Chvala speculated that this fundraising and Trump's endorsement would determine the winner. Jensen countered, "There's more that is required than money to win. You do have to have a message and you do have to have a connection with the voters and each of these candidates has pieces of that."
Alfonso worked in construction and as a podcast producer. Alfonso said he was inspired to run "by the late Charlie Kirk's example" and that "America is at a turning point and it’s time for a new generation of conservative leaders in Washington, D.C." Alfonso said he would "work with President Trump to reform government, keep us safe, and bring down the cost of energy, food, and housing."
Ebben is a director for Ashley Furniture. Ebben said, "Now more than ever, Wisconsin needs people willing to step into the arena and fight to deliver on President Trump’s effort to Make America Great Again. Rep. Tiffany has done a fantastic job, and I look forward to continuing his efforts to secure the southern border, stand with Wisconsin law enforcement, unleash American energy, fight to curb wasteful government spending, and deliver lower costs for Wisconsin families."
Hermening is the owner of Hermening Financial Group. Hermening said, "This district deserves a representative who has lived here, worked here, and stood shoulder to shoulder with neighbors through both the good times and the hard times." A campaign ad said Hermening would "work to keep our border secure, cut taxes for families, safeguard our elections, and protect our farmers, loggers, and ginseng growers who power America."
Threlfall-Baum is a digital marketing professional and owner of Valo Media and SpeakNotes. Threlfall-Baum said, "I believe government should work for the people of this district, not for donors, party leaders, or outside interests. I am running to be a representative who listens, does the work, and puts northern Wisconsin first." Threlfall-Baum said her priorities included "economic resilience in rural communities, responsible land use, infrastructure, and ensuring that large-scale developments — including data centers — are subject to stronger transparency, regulation, and local input."
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball all rated the 7th District Safe/Solid Republican.
Before the election, this was one of 59 races for the U.S. House of Representatives in which an incumbent did not seek re-election. Across the country, 23 Democrats and 36 Republicans were not seeking re-election as of the August 11 primary. In 2024, 45 incumbents — 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans — did not seek re-election.
