Sean Duffy

Early Life & Education

• Born: October 3, 1971, in Hayward, Wisconsin – the 10th of 11 children in an Irish‑German family.

• Education: BA in Marketing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; earned a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.

• Lumberjack Roots: A champion speed‑climber and competitive lumberjack from age 5, holding world titles.

                                  

Rise to Public Attention — Television Career

• Starred on MTV’s The Real World: Boston (1997), followed by Road Rules: All Stars (1998) and later MTV challenges.

• Met future wife, Rachel Campos‑Duffy, on Road Rules; they became a reality-TV power couple.

Legal & Political Career

District Attorney (2002–2010)

• Served as District Attorney of Ashland County, WI, with a 90%+ trial success rate.

• Notably proactive on child internet sex crimes.

U.S. Representative (2011–2019)

• Elected to Congress for Wisconsin’s 7th district, winning five terms.

• Served on the House Financial Services Committee and co-chaired the Great Lakes Task Force, securing bipartisan infrastructure funding including a key interstate bridge.

• Resigned in Sept 2019 to care for his ninth child, Valentina, born with a serious heart condition.

Media Work & Lobbying

• Became a Fox Business co-host ("The Bottom Line" with Dagen McDowell) and contributor to Fox News post-2020.

• Worked as a senior counsel lobbyist at BGR Group, representing clients in defense, automotive, and air transport.

Secretary of Transportation (2025–Present)

• Nominated by President Trump Nov 18, 2024; confirmed by Senate on Jan 28, 2025 (77–22 vote).

• Sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas; first actions included resetting CAFE standards to lower vehicle cost.

• Emphasizes road safety, reducing red tape, and infrastructure modernization.

Additional Role: Interim NASA Administrator

• In July 2025, President Trump appointed Duffy as interim director of NASA, citing his transportation leadership and ATC modernization work.

Personal Life & Priorities

• Married Rachel Campos in 1999; the couple has nine children, including daughter Valentina whose health prompted his departure from Congress.

• Known for prioritizing family commitments over political ambition, even declining subsequent political opportunities .