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 who currently serves as the United States Secretary of Transportation and acting administrator of NASA (since 2025). A Republican, he previously served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Beyond politics, Duffy has experience as a television presenter, lobbyist, attorney, and lumberjack, showcasing a diverse professional background.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1969: Dave Obey's term as U.S. Representative began

In 1969, Dave Obey had served as the United States representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.

1997: Appearance on The Real World: Boston

In 1997, Sean Duffy appeared on The Real World: Boston.

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1998: Filming for Road Rules: All Stars

In December 1998, Sean Duffy began filming for Road Rules: All Stars.

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2000: Competed in the Great Outdoor Games for log rolling

In 2000, Sean Duffy competed in the Great Outdoor Games's competitions for log rolling.

2001: Competed in the Great Outdoor Games for log rolling

In 2001, Sean Duffy competed in the Great Outdoor Games's competitions for log rolling.

June 2002: Appointment as District Attorney of Ashland County

In June 2002, Wisconsin governor Scott McCallum appointed Sean Duffy as the district attorney of Ashland County.

2002: Appearance in 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: Appointment as District Attorney of Ashland County

In 2002, Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum appointed Sean Duffy as the district attorney of Ashland County.

June 2003: Considered challenging Dave Obey

In June 2003, Sean Duffy stated that he was considering challenging representative Dave Obey as a Republican in the 2004 election.

2003: 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 Obey, citing Rachel's expected third child.

2004: Wisconsin Delegate in Republican National Convention

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

May 2005: Candidate for United States Attorney

In May 2005, Sean Duffy was one of the candidates forwarded to succeed J. B. Van Hollen as the United States attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

2005: Competed in speed climbing competition for the Great Outdoor Games

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

2006: Re-election as District Attorney

In 2006, Sean Duffy was re-elected as District Attorney.

2008: Re-election as District Attorney

In 2008, Sean Duffy was re-elected as District Attorney.

July 2009: Announcement to challenge Dave Obey

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

July 2009: Indicated intent to run for representative

In July 2009, Sean Duffy indicated he would run for representative and announced his challenge to Dave Obey in the 2010 election at Wausau Homes in Rothschild.

January 2010: Campaign Fundraising Record

In January 2010, Sean Duffy's campaign hit US$300,000, setting a record.

May 2010: Promotion within Young Guns program

In May 2010, the Sean Duffy campaign was promoted within the Young Guns program.

2010: Challenging Obey in the 2010 election

In 2010, Sean Duffy decided to challenge Obey over his position in strengthening government.

2010: Election to Wisconsin's seventh congressional district

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

2010: End of term as District Attorney of Ashland County

In 2010, Sean Duffy's term as the district attorney of Ashland County ended.

June 2011: Wisconsin State Assembly approves congressional map benefitting Duffy

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 the 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.

2011: U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district

In 2011, Sean Duffy became the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.

2012: Re-election to Congress

In 2012, Sean Duffy was re-elected to Congress.

2012: Spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention

Sean Duffy spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention.

November 2014: Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

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

2014: Re-election to Congress

In 2014, Sean Duffy was re-elected to Congress.

October 2015: Appointment to 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.

2016: Re-election to Congress

In 2016, Sean Duffy was re-elected to Congress.

2017: Started Plaidcast

Sean Duffy started Plaidcast (2017–2019) in 2017.

2018: Re-election to Congress

In 2018, Sean Duffy was re-elected to Congress.

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: Announcement of Resignation

On August 26, 2019, Sean Duffy announced that he would resign over complications involving his ninth child, who had not been born yet.

September 2019: Resignation from Congress

In September 2019, Sean Duffy resigned from Congress due to his newborn daughter's health complications.

October 2019: Hired by CNN as a contributor

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

2019: End of term as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin

In 2019, Sean Duffy's term as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin ended.

2020: Spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention

Sean Duffy spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

December 2021: Duffy co-authors All American Christmas

In December 2021, 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 podcast with Rachel Campos-Duffy

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

2023: Co-hosting Fox Business's The Bottom Line

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

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2023: Joined BGR Group's advisory board

In 2023, Sean Duffy joined the firm's advisory board, remaining on the board until he was named as Trump's secretary of transportation.

November 18, 2024: Nomination for Secretary of Transportation

On November 18, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Sean Duffy as the United States secretary of transportation.

2024: Ended podcast From the Kitchen Table: The Duffys

Sean Duffy's and Rachel Campos-Duffy's podcast, From the Kitchen Table: The Duffys, ended in 2024.

January 22, 2025: Confirmation Vote for Secretary of Transportation

On January 22, 2025, the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to advance Sean Duffy's nomination 28–0. On the same day, Duffy was sworn into office on January 22, 2025 by Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.

January 28, 2025: Confirmation as Secretary of Transportation

On January 28, 2025, Sean Duffy was confirmed by the Senate as the United States secretary of transportation.

June 2025: Duffy calls for free trade in aerospace at Paris Air Show

In June 2025, at the Paris Air Show, Duffy advocated for free trade in the aerospace industry.

July 1, 2025: Duffy directs governors to remove non-standard road markings

On July 1, 2025, Duffy directed state governors to remove non-standard and distracting road markings from roadways, intersections, and crosswalks, citing safety concerns and preventing political or artistic messaging.