Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy insisted on live television that his 26-year-old son-in-law’s congressional campaign was succeeding “not because of me.”

Federal records tell a far more complicated story.

Michael Alfonso is competing in Tuesday’s Republican primary for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District—the same seat Duffy held for nearly nine years. Alfonso has received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, substantial support from transportation-industry interests and the backing of a super PAC fueled by $1 million transferred from Duffy’s former campaign committee.

Pressed about the appearance of nepotism during a Monday interview with NewsNation, Duffy and Alfonso attempted to portray the campaign as an independent, grassroots operation driven by the candidate’s work ethic.

“I’m not gonna apologize for marrying my middle school sweetheart,” Alfonso told host Marni Hughes during the campaign-trail interview at the Blue Willow Diner in Wausau.

“I’m gonna talk about the things that really matter to the voters,” he continued. “I’m the hardest working one.”

Duffy then invoked his own first congressional campaign, arguing that candidates must “work your tail off” to earn voters’ support.

“And that’s what Michael has done,” he said.

But when Duffy tried to explain Alfonso’s political momentum, his answer quickly became defensive.

“Not because of me, not because of President Trump—but President Trump has endorsed him,” the transportation secretary said.

Duffy added that the diner appearance marked the first time he had joined Alfonso on the campaign trail.

“I have a full-time job myself—more than a full-time job, really busy,” he insisted.

That description omitted the considerable financial and political support connected to Duffy.

According to federal records cited by the Badger Project, Duffy’s old campaign committee transferred $1 million—approximately half of its remaining holdings—to Northwoods Future PAC. The super PAC then reportedly spent the entire amount supporting Alfonso.

Republican billionaire Richard Uihlein contributed another $1 million to the same organization.

Duffy also reportedly lobbied Trump to endorse Alfonso, giving the young candidate an enormous advantage in a district where the president won by more than 20 percentage points in 2024.

None of those actions automatically establishes illegal conduct. Candidates’ relatives are permitted to support them, and independent political committees can legally spend large amounts advocating for candidates, provided they follow campaign-finance rules governing coordination and disclosure.

But the arrangement has generated serious ethical questions—especially because money from companies and lobbyists connected to Duffy’s federal responsibilities has also entered Alfonso’s political orbit.

ProPublica reported that transportation-industry lobbyists and political action committees donated thousands of dollars directly to Alfonso’s campaign while Duffy leads the department responsible for overseeing critical parts of that industry.

PACs associated with Delta Air Lines, Lockheed Martin, General Motors and Southwest Airlines were among those contributing, according to reports.

Those donations do not prove that Duffy took official action in exchange for campaign support. They do, however, create the appearance that industries regulated by a powerful Cabinet secretary are helping elect a close member of his family.

“There’s a very large gulf between what is legal and what is ethical,” Daniel Weiner of the Brennan Center for Justice told ProPublica. “Obviously, this raises numerous ethical questions.”

The family and corporate connections extend beyond the congressional race.

Alfonso appeared in a trailer for Duffy’s sponsored YouTube road-trip series, which reportedly counted Boeing and Toyota among its highest-level corporate sponsors. A spokesperson for Alfonso’s campaign also serves on the board of the nonprofit that produced the series.

The intertwining of family, government authority, corporate sponsorships and campaign money has provided ammunition to Alfonso’s Republican opponents.

Kevin Hermening, who spent 24 years leading his county Republican Party, told The Wall Street Journal that the contest was clearly a case of political nepotism.

“It for sure is,” Hermening said. “I’ve not heard anybody say it’s not.”

Nepotism does not necessarily mean a candidate is unqualified or incapable of winning support on personal merit. Political families have shaped American government for generations, and voters remain free to accept or reject the advantages attached to a famous name.

But Duffy’s insistence that Alfonso’s success is “not because of me” is difficult to reconcile with the documented assistance.

His former campaign supplied $1 million to a super PAC supporting Alfonso. He reportedly pursued Trump’s endorsement. He appeared beside the candidate immediately before the primary. Industry groups with business before his department also donated.

Alfonso may indeed be working hard.

But he is not running alone.

When Wisconsin Republicans vote Tuesday, they will decide whether the 26-year-old deserves Duffy’s former seat. The money trail has already answered a different question: Whatever Alfonso’s individual strengths, one of Washington’s most powerful fathers-in-law has been standing behind him all along.