WASHINGTON — On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Sean Duffy, a host on Fox Business and former Republican congressman from Wisconsin, to be the Secretary of the Department of Transportation in his new administration.

Duffy, who co-hosts “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business, represented Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019, significantly during Trump’s presidency.

The 53-year-old father of nine stepped down from Congress in 2019 to care for a newborn daughter with a heart condition. His former seat is currently occupied by U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican from Wisconsin.

Duffy, known for his strong support of Trump and frequent appearances on Fox News during his congressional term, became a co-host on his Fox Business program when it premiered in January 2023. His wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, also hosts Fox & Friends Weekend.

“As the husband of an incredible woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a superstar on Fox News, and father to nine remarkable children, Sean understands how essential it is for families to travel securely and with peace of mind,” Trump stated.

Duffy originally gained national attention through reality television before entering politics, appearing on the MTV series “Real World” in 1997, followed by “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998 and “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons” in 2002.

Duffy served on the House Financial Services Committee during his time in Congress. Although Trump encouraged him to run for governor of Wisconsin in 2022, he ultimately chose not to pursue that path.

Trump praised Duffy as “a tremendous and well-liked public servant,” expressing confidence in his ability to “prioritize excellence, competence, competitiveness, and aesthetics” while renovating the nation’s highways and infrastructure. He emphasized Duffy’s role in making sure that America’s ports and dams bolster the economy while maintaining national security, and he also mentioned enhancing aviation safety by removing DEI requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers.

Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the Transportation Department, led by Secretary Pete Buttigieg, has been actively working on a wide range of roadway, bridge, rail, and other projects outlined in a $1 trillion infrastructure law signed into effect in 2021.

“Sean will leverage his experience and the connections he’s forged over many years in Congress to maintain and rejuvenate our nation’s infrastructure and usher in a ‘Golden Age of Travel’ that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and innovation,” Trump stated, adding that Duffy will greatly enhance the travel experience for all Americans.

Following his November 5 election victory, Trump has swiftly begun assembling his next administration, with the nomination of Duffy marking his 13th choice for a Cabinet position.

This selection indicates that Trump is tapping into his ties with Fox News, having previously selected Army veteran and Fox host Pete Hegseth for the role of Defense Secretary, along with nominations for Fox News contributor Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel.