'Run Sean, Run!' Donald Trump calls on former Wisconsin congressman Duffy to enter governor's race
Molly Beck
MADISON - Former President Donald Trump is encouraging former U.S. Rep Sean Duffy to run for governor instead of backing former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who is the only high-profile Republican running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
It's unclear whether Duffy is even considering the idea, but Trump's statement could signal hurdles for Kleefisch as she works to unify the Republican grassroots with whom Trump remains popular.
"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 on Saturday. "A champion athlete, Sean loves the people of Wisconsin, and would be virtually unbeatable."
Duffy and his wife Rachel sold their Wausau house in September and list a home in northern New Jersey as their current residence, according to state records. Duffy did not immediately return a phone call on Saturday.
Spokesmen for Kleefisch and Evers did not immediately return messages.
Kayla Anderson, spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said whomever gets the GOP nomination for governor will be "too extreme" for Wisconsin voters.
"Whether the GOP nominates Radical Rebecca or a washed-up reality TV star, the GOP nominee for governor will be entirely too extreme for the state of Wisconsin," she said in a statement.
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, have worked as contributors for Fox News. Rachel Campos-Duffy was recently named co-host of Fox's Fox & Friends Weekend morning show.
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The couple first became widely known through their appearances on MTV's "The Real World" in the 1990s.
"His wife, Rachel, is likewise an incredible person. They are both doing very well, so this would be a big sacrifice, but hopefully it will be a sacrifice that will be made for the Great State of Wisconsin and its wonderful, hardworking people," Trump said. "Run Sean, Run!"
Duffy, born in Hayward, has about $2 million in his federal campaign account, according to a recent Federal Elections Commission filing.
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Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.