Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sean Duffy
How Sean Duffy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Sean Duffy is an American politician, lawyer, and former reality television personality. A Republican, he represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. He resigned from Congress to focus on his family and subsequently became a lobbyist and a co-host on Fox Business television. Since 2025, he serves as the 20th United States secretary of transportation under President Donald Trump.
1997: Appeared on The Real World: Boston
In 1997, Duffy appeared on The Real World: Boston.
1998: Appeared on Road Rules: All Stars
In 1998, Duffy appeared on Road Rules: All Stars, where he met his future wife Rachel Campos.
1998: The Real World: Boston Cast Member
In 1998, Sean Duffy gained fame as a cast member on The Real World: Boston and Road Rules: All Stars.
2002: Appeared on Real World/Road Rules Challenge
In 2002, Duffy appeared on Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons.
2002: Appointed Ashland County District Attorney
In 2002, Duffy was appointed Ashland County district attorney.
2002: Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons
In 2002, Sean Duffy was a cast member on Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons.
2003: ESPN Commentator
In 2003, Duffy appeared as both a competitor and commentator on ESPN's Great Outdoor Games.
2004: Re-elected District Attorney
In 2004, Duffy was re-elected Ashland County District Attorney unopposed.
2006: Re-elected District Attorney
In 2006, Duffy was re-elected Ashland County District Attorney unopposed.
2008: Re-elected District Attorney
In 2008, Duffy was re-elected Ashland County District Attorney unopposed.
2008: Appeared on The Real World Awards Bash
In 2008, Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos appeared in a filmed segment on The Real World Awards Bash, while Duffy served as district attorney.
2008: Wisconsin Elector
In 2008, Sean Duffy was on the Republican slate of the 10 Wisconsin electors for the presidential election.
July 8, 2009: Announced Campaign for Congress
On July 8, 2009, Duffy announced his campaign for Congress in Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.
May 2010: Obey Retirement Announcement
In May 2010, Dave Obey announced that he would not seek re-election for Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.
June 4, 2010: Resigned as District Attorney
On June 4, 2010, Duffy announced his resignation from the position of Ashland County district attorney to focus on the congressional race.
November 2, 2010: Won Congressional Election
On November 2, 2010, Sean Duffy won the race for Congress in Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.
March 2011: Public Town Hall Meeting
In March 2011, Duffy attended a Polk County Republican public town hall meeting. He insisted he was "struggling" to get by on his $174,000 salary.
December 22, 2011: Open Letter to Speaker Boehner
On December 22, 2011, Duffy and Rick Crawford published an open letter to Speaker John Boehner, urging a vote on the Senate's tax cut extension compromise.
2011: Voted to eliminate Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements
In 2011, Duffy voted to eliminate Davis–Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements for federal projects.
2011: U.S. Representative
In 2011, Sean Duffy began serving as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district.
2013: Resolution for Paper-Based Information
In 2013, Duffy and Michael Michaud introduced a resolution calling for government action to ensure people be provided with paper-based information along with electronic.
December 2015: Legislation for Puerto Rico oversight board
In December 2015, Duffy introduced legislation to establish a financial oversight board over Puerto Rico.
January 2017: Co-sponsored legislation ending grey wolf protections
In January 2017, Duffy co-sponsored legislation that would end protection for grey wolves in the Endangered Species Act.
February 2017: Supported Trump's Immigration Ban
In February 2017, Duffy gave an interview to CNN supporting Trump's immigration and travel ban.
July 2018: Accusation of "economic terrorism"
In July 2018, Duffy said that Europe, China, Canada and Mexico had committed "economic terrorism in a way" by placing retaliatory tariffs on the United States.
2018: Legislation for Trump to enact more tariffs
In 2018, Duffy introduced legislation for Trump to enact more tariffs.
September 23, 2019: Resigned from Congress
Duffy resigned his seat effective September 23, 2019, to have more time to help his wife care for their daughter.
December 2022: Named Co-Host of The Bottom Line
In December 2022, Duffy and Dagen McDowell were named co-hosts of The Bottom Line on Fox Business.
January 23, 2023: The Bottom Line Premiered
On January 23, 2023, The Bottom Line, co-hosted by Duffy, premiered on Fox Business.
2023: Advisory Board
After 2023, Sean Duffy served on the BGR Group's advisory board.
November 2024: Named as Nominee for Secretary of Transportation
In November 2024, Donald Trump named Duffy as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation in his second presidency.
January 15, 2025: Secretary of Transportation Hearing
During his hearing on January 15, 2025, Sean Duffy stated that if confirmed, his first trip as transportation secretary would be to the Appalachian mountain regions of Tennessee and North Carolina.
January 28, 2025: Confirmed as Secretary of Transportation
On January 28, 2025, Sean Duffy was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Secretary of Transportation and was sworn in later that day.
January 28, 2025: Officially Sworn In
On January 28, 2025, Sean Duffy was officially sworn in by United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
January 29, 2025: Ceremonially Sworn In
On January 29, 2025, Sean Duffy was ceremonially sworn in by Vice President JD Vance.
February 10, 2025: Traveled to western North Carolina
On February 10, 2025, Sean Duffy traveled to western North Carolina.
2025: Secretary of Transportation
In 2025, Sean Duffy became the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump.
2025: Responded to Potomac River mid-air collision
In 2025, on his first official day in office, Sean Duffy responded to the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision from the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters.
