Trump taps former congressman Sean Duffy to lead Transportation Department

Washington — President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate former congressman and TV host Sean Duffy for transportation secretary.

Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from January 2011 to September 2019. He’s co-host of “The Bottom Line” on the Fox Business Network.

Duffy previously served as the district attorney for Ashland County, WI, from 2002 to 2010, after first appearing on the public radar in the late 1990s as a reality TV star.

“Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and fulfill our mission of ushering in the golden age of travel, focusing on safety, efficiency and innovation,” Trump said in a Nov. 18 statement. “Importantly, he will greatly elevate the travel experience for all Americans!”

In a press release, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear noted that Duffy “supported pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain and our ability to keep the nation’s goods moving safely and efficiently.”

Spear continued: “We know Congressman Duffy understands that and the opportunity now before us to improve our transportation network by reducing congestion, investing in truck parking, enhancing highway safety and supporting the development of innovative technologies. He is an exceptional choice to lead the Department of Transportation, and we congratulate him on his nomination and look forward to working with him in this role.”

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, also congratulated Duffy on his pending nomination, which won’t become official until at least Jan. 3, when the 119th Congress begins. Duffy will then likely have a confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

“We look forward to working with him in advancing the priorities of small-business truckers across America, including expanding truck parking, fighting freight fraud and rolling back unnecessary regulations,” Spencer said to OOIDA’s Land Line magazine on Nov. 19. “We encourage a swift confirmation in the Senate and look forward to working with the new administration.”

At press time, the Teamsters union, which represents drivers, had not issued a statement about Duffy.