Controversial Attack Ad Targets Candidate in Wisconsin GOP Primary
In the final days leading up to the GOP primary for a congressional seat in northern Wisconsin, a new attack ad has surfaced, accusing candidate Michael Alfonso of benefiting from nepotism. The advertisement, which is part of a heated race for outgoing U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s district, alleges that Alfonso’s campaign is financially supported by his father-in-law, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The 30-second spot, tracked by AdImpact and reported by WisPolitics, accuses Alfonso of lacking employment, being registered as a Florida voter until January, and residing at Duffy’s Wisconsin home while his campaign is allegedly funded by Duffy. The ad criticizes Alfonso further, stating, “And he got 200 grand more from lobbyists and swamp interests,” urging voters to reject what it terms as “nepo baby” Alfonso.
This advertisement is backed by the American Future Fund Political Action, a third-party advocacy group established on June 2, which has invested approximately $135,000 into this campaign, according to a Federal Election Commission filing. The group is airing the ads on TV stations in Rhinelander and Wausau, as indicated by Federal Communications Commission Records.
While the donors behind this ad remain unidentified, federal documents reveal that a substantial $500,000 was contributed to the group by the similarly named American Future Fund, which has not filed campaign finance disclosures since 2018.
Alfonso, who recently switched his voter registration from Florida to Wisconsin using Duffy’s Hayward home shortly before his campaign launch, was among several candidates who recently relocated from outside the district or state. He has also been seen participating in campaign events alongside Duffy and appeared in an online video series featuring Duffy’s family.
Supporting Alfonso, the Northwoods Future PAC has allocated over $2 million toward his campaign, receiving $1.5 million from Duffy’s former campaign funds. Despite receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Alfonso faces criticism from primary rivals Kevin Hermening and Jessi Ebben, who have echoed similar concerns.
Alfonso’s campaign, however, maintains he has spent most of his life in Wisconsin, except for a brief stint as a producer on the Dan Bongino Show podcast. They accuse the American Future Fund of also running pro-Ebben ads. Campaign manager William Blathras commented, “our opponents are wasting time and other people’s money lying about” and “fighting” Trump.
Blathras further emphasized Alfonso’s focus on “meeting voters in every corner of WI-07, lowering costs, advancing America First policies, and defending the American Dream from the communism Democrats are pushing.” In response, Ebben’s campaign refuted any coordination with outside groups, stating the campaign remains “positive and focused on why Jessi is the only candidate in this race with the energy and experience to champion President Trump’s America First agenda.”
The intense battle for this Republican stronghold has drawn substantial independent spending, pitting billionaire donors like Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein against one another. Richard Uihlein has contributed $1 million to support Alfonso, while Elizabeth Uihlein has given $1.5 million to the Northwoods PAC backing Ebben.
