Michael Alfonso, Jessi Ebben, Kevin Hermening, Donald Raihala, and Niina Threlfall-Baum are running in the Republican primary for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District on Aug. 11. Alfonso, Ebben, Hermening, and Threlfall-Baum lead in media attention. Incumbent Tom Tiffany (R) is running for governor of Wisconsin.

Alfonso, Ebben, and Hermening are campaigning as self-described America First Republicans, a term associated with President Donald Trump (R) and his political agenda. Threlfall-Baum says she is running 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 affect 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."

Chvala noted the significance of Republican donors Dick and Liz Uihlein donating $1 million each to PACs supporting Alfonso and Ebben's campaigns, respectively. Owners of Uline, a shipping and business supplies company, the Uihleins usually support 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). Chvala speculated that this fundraising and Trump's endorsement will determine the winner. Jensen countered, "It is not unusual though ... for the top spender in a race to lose. That happens all the time ... 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 has worked in construction and as a podcast producer. Alfonso says 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 says 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 says, "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 says, "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 says 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 says, "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 says her priorities include "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 rate the 7th District Safe/Solid Republican.

This is one of 57 races for the U.S. House of Representatives this year in which an incumbent is not running for re-election. Across the country, 21 Democrats and 36 Republicans are not running for re-election. In 2024, 45 incumbents — 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans — did not seek re-election.