History of Sean Duffy in Timeline

Sean Patrick Duffy is an American politician, lawyer, and former reality television personality. A Republican, he served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Since 2025, he has served as the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 3, 1971: Sean Duffy's Birth

On October 3, 1971, Sean Patrick Duffy was born. He later became an American politician, lawyer, and reality television personality.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Starred on The Real World: Boston

In 1997, Sean Duffy starred on The Real World: Boston, the sixth season of the MTV reality television show.

1998: Starred on Road Rules: All Stars

In 1998, Sean Duffy starred on Road Rules: All Stars, a Winnebago driving event, where he met Rachel Campos.

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

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

2002: District Attorney of Ashland County

In 2002, Sean Duffy began serving as the district attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin.

2002: Appointed Ashland County district attorney

In 2002, Sean Duffy, a Republican, was appointed Ashland County district attorney by Governor Scott McCallum, succeeding Michael Gableman. He was also reelected unopposed in 2002.

2003: Appeared on ESPN's Great Outdoor Games

In 2003, Sean Duffy appeared as both a competitor and commentator on ESPN's Great Outdoor Games.

2004: Re-elected Ashland County district attorney

In 2004, Sean Duffy was reelected unopposed as Ashland County district attorney.

2004: Named Honorary Athlete of the Badger State Games

Sean Duffy was named the Badger State Games Honorary Athlete of the 2004 Winter Games.

2006: Re-elected Ashland County district attorney

In 2006, Sean Duffy was reelected unopposed as Ashland County district attorney.

2008: Appeared in The Real World Awards Bash

In 2008, Sean Duffy appeared in a filmed segment on The Real World Awards Bash, while serving as district attorney.

2008: Wisconsin Elector

In 2008, Sean Duffy was on the Republican slate of the 10 Wisconsin electors for the presidential election.

2008: Re-elected Ashland County district attorney

In 2008, Sean Duffy was reelected unopposed as Ashland County district attorney.

July 8, 2009: Announced Campaign for Congress

On July 8, 2009, Sean Duffy announced his campaign for Congress in Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.

May 2010: Dave Obey Announced Retirement

In May 2010, incumbent Democratic representative Dave Obey announced that he would not seek re-election.

June 4, 2010: Resigned as Ashland County District Attorney

On June 4, 2010, Sean Duffy announced his resignation from the position of Ashland County district attorney to focus on the congressional race.

November 2, 2010: Won Election to Congress

On November 2, 2010, Sean Duffy won the race for Congress in Wisconsin's seventh congressional district.

2010: End of term as District Attorney of Ashland County

In 2010, Sean Duffy's term as district attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin, came to an end.

March 2011: Town Hall Meeting on Salary Cuts

In March 2011, during a town hall meeting, Sean Duffy said that he was "struggling" to get by on his $174,000 salary.

December 22, 2011: Open Letter on Tax Cut Extension

On December 22, 2011, Sean Duffy and Rick Crawford published an open letter urging John Boehner to allow a House vote on the Senate's two-month tax cut extension compromise.

2011: Becomes U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district

In 2011, Sean Duffy became the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district.

2011: Voted to Eliminate Davis-Bacon Act Requirements

In 2011, Sean Duffy voted to eliminate Davis–Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements for federal projects.

2011: Moved to Weston, Wisconsin

In late 2011, Sean Duffy and his family moved to Weston, Wisconsin, to be closer to Central Wisconsin Airport.

2013: Introduced Resolution on Paper-Based Information

In 2013, Sean Duffy and Michael Michaud introduced a resolution calling for government action to ensure that people be provided with paper-based information along with electronic information.

December 2015: Introduced Legislation for Financial Oversight of Puerto Rico

In December 2015, Sean Duffy introduced legislation to establish a financial oversight board over Puerto Rico.

January 2017: Co-sponsored Legislation to End Protection for Grey Wolves

In January 2017, Sean Duffy co-sponsored legislation that would end protection for grey wolves in the Endangered Species Act.

February 2017: Supported Trump's Immigration and Travel Ban

In February 2017, Sean Duffy gave an interview supporting President Trump's immigration and travel ban, referring to the Quebec City mosque shooting as a "one-off".

July 2018: Accused Europe, China, Canada, and Mexico of "economic terrorism"

In July 2018, Sean Duffy accused Europe, China, Canada and Mexico of committing "economic terrorism in a way" by placing retaliatory tariffs on the United States.

2018: Introduced Legislation for More Tariffs

In 2018, Sean Duffy introduced legislation for President Trump to enact more tariffs.

August 2019: Expecting ninth child

In August 2019, Sean Duffy and his wife were expecting their ninth child.

August 26, 2019: Announced Resignation from Congress

On August 26, 2019, Sean Duffy announced his resignation from Congress due to his daughter's health complications.

September 23, 2019: Resigned from Congress

Sean Duffy resigned from his seat in Congress effective September 23, 2019, to help his wife care for their daughter.

2019: End of term as U.S. representative

In 2019, Sean Duffy's term as U.S. representative for Wisconsin came to an end.

August 2021: Purchased Home in New Jersey

In August 2021, Sean Duffy purchased a home in Mendham Township, New Jersey.

December 2022: Named Co-Host of The Bottom Line

In December 2022, Sean Duffy was named co-host of The Bottom Line, a show on Fox Business.

January 23, 2023: The Bottom Line Show Premiered

On January 23, 2023, The Bottom Line, a show on Fox Business co-hosted by Sean Duffy and Dagen McDowell, premiered.

2023: Served on BGR Group's advisory board

After 2023, Sean Duffy served on the advisory board of the lobbying firm BGR Group.

November 18, 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Transportation

On November 18, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Sean Duffy as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

2024: Climate Change Denial on Fox Business

In 2024, Sean Duffy engaged in climate change denial on Fox Business.

January 15, 2025: Hearing on Secretary of Transportation nomination

On January 15, 2025, during his hearing, Sean Duffy stated his first trip as Secretary of Transportation would be to Tennessee and North Carolina.

January 28, 2025: Sworn in as Secretary of Transportation

On January 28, 2025, Sean Duffy was officially sworn in by United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as Secretary of Transportation.

January 29, 2025: Ceremonially Sworn in as Secretary of Transportation

On January 29, 2025, Sean Duffy was ceremonially sworn in by Vice President JD Vance as Secretary of Transportation.

February 10, 2025: Visited Western North Carolina

On February 10, 2025, Sean Duffy traveled to western North Carolina.

March 7, 2025: Clash with Elon Musk

On March 7, 2025, Sean Duffy clashed with Elon Musk during a White House cabinet meeting over air traffic controllers and DOGE.

2025: Becomes Secretary of Transportation

In 2025, Sean Duffy became the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation.

2025: Responded to 2025 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, instructing an investigation into the cause of the crash.