Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sean Duffy

How Sean Duffy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Sean Patrick Duffy is an American politician and former television presenter. He served as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Currently, he is the United States secretary of transportation since 2025 and interim administrator of NASA since July 2025. He is a member of the Republican Party. His background also includes work as a lobbyist, prosecutor, and lumberjack.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1969: Dave Obey's Congressional Service Began

In June 2003, Duffy considered challenging Dave Obey, who had served as the United States representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district since 1969, as a Republican in the 2004 election.

1993: Speed Climbing Title

In 1993, Sean Duffy won a speed climbing title at the Mississippi River Log Boom.

1994: World Champion Speed Climber

In 1994, Sean Duffy was the world champion speed climber at the Lumberjack World Championship.

June 1997: Top American Lumberjack

By June 1997, The New York Times Magazine considered Sean Duffy one of the top American lumberjacks.

1997: Appearance on The Real World: Boston

In 1997, Sean Duffy appeared on The Real World: Boston, the sixth iteration of MTV's The Real World set in Boston, Massachusetts.

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1997: Became cast member of The Real World: Boston

In 1997, Sean Duffy became a cast member of The Real World: Boston, the sixth iteration of MTV's The Real World set in Boston, Massachusetts.

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1998: Filming for Road Rules: All Stars

In December 1997, Sean Duffy began filming for Road Rules: All Stars (1998), necessitating him to delay another semester of law school.

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1999: Graduated from law school

After graduating from law school in 1999, Duffy worked for his father's practice for two years before becoming a special prosecutor for Ashland County.

1999: Graduated from William Mitchell College of Law

In 1999, Sean Duffy graduated from the William Mitchell College of Law.

2000: Competed in ESPN's Great Outdoor Games

From 2000 to 2006, Sean Duffy competed in ESPN's Great Outdoor Games as a lumberjack.

June 2002: Appointed District Attorney of Ashland County

In June 2002, Wisconsin governor Scott McCallum appointed Sean Duffy as the district attorney of Ashland County following Michael Gableman's resignation.

2002: Won Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons

In 2002, Sean Duffy appeared in and won Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons.

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2002: Appointed as District Attorney of Ashland County

In 2002, Sean Duffy was appointed as the district attorney of Ashland County, serving in the position until 2010.

June 2003: Considering Challenge to Dave Obey

In June 2003, Sean Duffy stated that he was considering challenging representative Dave Obey, who had served as the United States representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district since 1969, as a Republican in the 2004 election.

2003: Named Commentator for the Great Outdoor Games

In 2003, Sean Duffy was named as a commentator for the Great Outdoor Games.

February 2004: Declined to Challenge Obey

In February 2004, Sean Duffy declined to challenge Dave Obey, citing Rachel's expected third child.

2004: Honorary Athlete for Badger State Winter Games

In 2004, Sean Duffy was named as the honorary athlete for the Badger State Winter Games.

2004: Wisconsin Delegate in Republican National Convention

Sean Duffy served as a Wisconsin delegate in the 2004 Republican National Convention and the 2004 presidential election.

May 2005: Candidate for US Attorney

In May 2005, Wisconsin's Federal Nominating Commission forwarded four candidates, including Sean Duffy, to succeed J. B. Van Hollen as the United States attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

2005: Competed in the Great Outdoor Games

In 2005, Sean Duffy competed in the speed climbing competition for the Great Outdoor Games. Additionally, he was a commentator for the mixed doubles Boom Run.

2006: Re-elected as District Attorney

In 2006, Sean Duffy was re-elected as district attorney.

2008: Re-elected as District Attorney

In 2008, Sean Duffy was re-elected as district attorney.

July 2009: Announced challenge to Dave Obey

In July 2009, Sean Duffy announced that he would challenge Democratic U.S. representative Dave Obey.

July 2009: Announced Run for Representative

In July 2009, Sean Duffy indicated he would run for representative. On July 9, at Wausau Homes in Rothschild, Duffy announced that he would challenge Obey in the 2010 election.

January 2010: Duffy Campaign raised US$300,000

In January 2010, The Duffy campaign hit US$300,000, setting a record.

May 2010: Obey announced that he would not be running for re-election

In May 2010, Obey announced that he would not be running for re-election. The following day, the Duffy campaign was promoted within the Young Guns program, further unlocking additional financial resources.

2010: Elected to Congress

In 2010, Sean Duffy was elected for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.

2010: Announced Run for Representative

In July 2009, Sean Duffy indicated he would run for representative. On July 9, at Wausau Homes in Rothschild, Duffy announced that he would challenge Obey in the 2010 election.

June 2011: Wisconsin State Assembly Approved Congressional Map

In June 2011, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a congressional map that would politically benefit Sean Duffy with the intention of securing his seat.

July 2011: Proposed Bill to Control Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

In July 2011, Sean Duffy proposed a bill that would have installed a five-member oversight panel to control the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and would have given Congress greater authority to overturn the bureau's regulations.

November 2014: Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee

In November 2014, Sean Duffy was named as the chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

October 2015: Named to the House Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood

In October 2015, Sean Duffy was named to the House Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood.

April 2016: Introduced Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act

In April 2016, Sean Duffy introduced the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act to resolve the Puerto Rican government-debt crisis.

2017: Started Plaidcast

From 2017 to 2019, Sean Duffy started Plaidcast in 2017, among several members of Congress who started a podcast that year.

January 2019: Proposed Bill to Expand Presidential Tariff Authority

In January 2019, Sean Duffy proposed a bill that would have expanded presidential tariff authority.

August 26, 2019: Resignation Announcement

On August 26, 2019, Sean Duffy announced that he would resign from Congress over complications involving his ninth child who had not been born yet. His resignation was effective on September 23.

September 2019: Resigned from Congress

In September 2019, Sean Duffy resigned from Congress due to complications involving his ninth child.

October 2019: Hired as CNN Contributor

In October 2019, CNN hired Sean Duffy as a paid contributor.

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2020: Spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention

Sean Duffy spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

December 2021: Co-authored All American Christmas

In December 2021, Sean Duffy co-authored All American Christmas with his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy.

All American Christmas: A Holiday Story Collection

Check it on Amazon

2021: Started a Podcast

In 2021, Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, began a podcast, From the Kitchen Table: The Duffys (2021–2024).

2023: Co-hosting The Bottom Line

In 2023, Sean Duffy began co-hosting Fox Business's The Bottom Line with Dagen McDowell.

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November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Transportation

In November 2024, following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election, Trump named Sean Duffy as his nominee for secretary of transportation.