Sean Duffy says he won’t run for governor, despite Donald Trump’s plea
MADISON – Former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy said Thursday he won’t grant former President Donald Trump’s request to run for governor of Wisconsin.
Trump issued a plea in October for Duffy, a Republican who represented northwest Wisconsin in Congress until 2019, to enter the governor’s race instead of backing former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who is the only high-profile Republican running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Duffy told conservative radio show host Jay Weber on Thursday in an interview on WISN-AM he won’t be doing so.
“Working hard to get very popular and capable Former Congressman Sean Duffy of Wisconsin to run for Governor. He would be fantastic!” Trump said in a statement in October. “A champion athlete, Sean loves the people of Wisconsin, and would be virtually unbeatable.”
Duffy, 50, was first elected to represent Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in 2010 and left Congress in 2019, citing a need to devote more time to his baby daughter who was born with a heart condition and Down syndrome.
Duffy and his wife, Rachel, live in New Jersey with their children and both have worked as contributors for Fox News. Rachel Campos-Duffy also was named last year co-host of Fox’s Fox & Friends Weekend morning show.
Duffy, born in Hayward, has about $2 million in his federal campaign account, according to a recent Federal Elections Commission filing. Duffy had not made any moves to return to Wisconsin or explore a campaign following Trump’s statement.
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