Wisconsin — 7th District

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - Republicans Paul Wassgren and Michael Alfonso have launched bids for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District this week.

The 7th congressional seat is up for grabs after Rep. Tom Tiffany announced his run for Wisconsin governor last month.

Paul Wassgren

Wassgren is a conservative businessman and attorney from Ashland. A press release announcing Wassgren’s campaign describes him as a proud supporter of President Donald Trump. Wassgren says he will focus on the needs of northern Wisconsin by creating economic opportunity, fighting back against lawfare, building stronger communities and protecting Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage.

“Growing up in Ashland was the ideal childhood experience – fishing and boating in the summer, jumping in piles of leaves in the fall, and throwing snowballs and skiing in the winter. Economic opportunities were plentiful, and social problems like homelessness, violent crime, and addiction were scarce," Wassgren said. “I’m running for Congress because we need more successful businessmen like Donald Trump and Ron Johnson to shake up the status quo and revitalize our communities.”

Wassgren is a 5th-generation Ashland resident whose family owned Mountain Valley Cheese Factory in Bayfield County. After law school, he began his career as a corporate attorney. In 2020, Wassgren launched his own law firm.

Michael Alfonso

Born in Vilas County, Alfonso moved to Wausau when he was young. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mathematics, he moved to Hayward to work in the construction and concrete industry. Later, he became the producer of The Dan Bongino Show podcast.

Described as a pro-Trump conservative, Alfonso says he will fight for the people of Wisconsin, restore hope for all Americans and deliver the MAGA agenda. Some of his key issues include restoring power to the states, fixing immigration, bringing back freedom in education and ending corruption in Congress.

“I was born and raised with the traditional Wisconsin values of faith, community, and hard work - and now I’m ready to give back to the area that gave so much to me. I’ve watched as the American Dream has continued to slip away from the people who so deserve it,” said Alfonso. “I’ve seen the effects of higher taxes and the increased cost of living on our families and our farms, and the erosion of our constitutional rights. I’m running for Congress because northern Wisconsin needs to continue to have a representative who will truly put our families, communities, and America first.”

Alfonso is the son-in-law of former congressman and current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Other candidates

Republican Jessi Ebben announced her candidacy last month at an event in Rothschild.

Two Democrats, Chris Armstrong and Fred Clark, have also launched bids.