EXCLUSIVE — Michael Alfonso, whose grandparents were Cuban refugees escaping communism and who financed his college education through construction and road paving jobs, announced his GOP candidacy Wednesday for an open congressional seat in a reliably Republican northern Wisconsin House district.
“I’m seeking a seat in Congress because Northern Wisconsin requires a representative dedicated to prioritizing our families, communities, and America,” Alfonso stated in a statement initially shared with Fox News Digital.
Alfonso, described by his campaign as a “pro-Trump conservative,” is the son-in-law of Sean Duffy, former transportation secretary under President Donald Trump. He is vying for the congressional seat previously held by Duffy for a decade and currently occupied by Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who recently announced his 2026 gubernatorial campaign.
“I was raised with the traditional Wisconsin values of faith, community, and diligence — and I am now prepared to contribute to the area that has provided me with so much,” stated the 25-year-old Alfonso.
He expressed concern that “the American Dream has been progressively slipping away from those who deserve it most.”
In his campaign launch video, Alfonso declared, “Our district needs to attract high-paying jobs, enabling people to establish roots, raise families, and create a future they can be proud of.”
“Because when young people face obstacles, they become susceptible to the deceptions of socialism,” he continued, accompanied by images of Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro and revolutionary Che Guevara juxtaposed with pictures of progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a leading candidate for New York City mayor.
“My grandparents’ flight from communist Cuba for a better family life should not be in vain. The radical left aims to transform this nation into the very thing my grandfather, and many others, fled their home countries to avoid,” Alfonso asserted in his video. “We cannot allow this to happen, and I will tirelessly fight to ensure Wisconsin and this nation continue to offer the freedoms and opportunities my grandparents sought.”
Alfonso also promised that if elected, “I’ll collaborate with President Trump to reform government, ensure our safety, and reduce the costs of energy, food, and housing.”
The House district, covering much of northwestern and north central Wisconsin, is predominantly Republican. Trump won by 22 points in the last presidential election, and Tiffany secured a third term with a 27-point margin.
Alfonso joins a GOP primary that includes conservative businessman and attorney Paul Wassgren and public relations professional Jessi Ebben.
Business owner Chris Armstrong and former state Rep. Fred Clark have launched campaigns for the Democratic congressional nomination in the district.
