WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Sean Duffy as the next transportation secretary for his administration. Duffy will be tasked with managing a diverse transportation infrastructure spanning pipelines, railroads, automobiles, trucking, airlines, and public transit systems, in addition to overseeing highway funding.
Duffy, 53, is an attorney with a significant political background. He served as a congressman representing Wisconsin in the House of Representatives for nine years, having been elected during the tea party movement in 2010. His term lasted from 2011 until 2019, when he stepped down to focus on his large family. Throughout his time in Congress, Duffy was a member of the House Financial Services Committee and held the position of chairman for its housing and insurance subcommittee.
In a notable move, Duffy becomes the second individual with ties to Fox News to receive a cabinet position from Trump. He became a contributor to Fox News in 2020, where he has been an outspoken supporter of Trump, a crucial factor for the president-elect who often engages with media platforms. Currently, he co-hosts “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.
Last week, Trump selected Pete Hegseth, another prominent figure from Fox, to take on the role of defense secretary.
In an intriguing twist, Duffy also shares a background in reality television, similar to Trump. He gained fame in 1997 as a cast member on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston,” and later formed a relationship with his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, during the filming of “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. Campos-Duffy is now a co-host on “Fox & Friends Weekend.” This trend of reality TV exposure before entering politics is a recurring theme in Trump’s circle, as he himself was a star of “The Apprentice” before ascending to the presidency in 2017.
In 2022, Duffy chose not to pursue a gubernatorial run in Wisconsin, despite Trump’s encouragement to enter the race. He cited his responsibilities toward his nine children, especially his youngest who was born with a heart condition, as a primary reason for this decision.
When he first ran for Congress, Duffy was viewed as an underdog. He attracted national attention for his memorable campaign advertisements where he donned a red flannel shirt and showcased his lumberjack skills. He often told constituents about his family lineage of lumberjacks, promising to bring his axe to Washington D.C. to symbolize his commitment to represent his constituents.
Additionally, Duffy has experience as a former lumberjack athlete, further emphasizing his connection to his roots.