--- title: "Clark vs. Alfonso: 2026 Wisconsin’s 7th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-wi-07" updated: "2026-08-13" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Wisconsin’s 7th District race: Fred Clark (D) vs. Michael Alfonso (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 13, 2026 The election for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District features Democrat Fred Clark and Republican Michael Alfonso competing for an open seat created by incumbent Republican Tom Tiffany's run for governor. Clark, a former state representative and forester, is campaigning on a rural coalition platform focused on affordability, healthcare access, and environmental oversight. Alfonso, a podcast producer endorsed by Donald Trump, is running on a hardline America First agenda emphasizing border security, total anti-abortion protections, and government deregulation. ## Candidates - **Fred Clark** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Clark) - **Michael Alfonso** (Republican) · [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Alfonso) ## Issues ### Economy & Cost of Living Salience: high Clark focuses on addressing long-term wage and affordability gaps while rejecting corporate PAC funding, whereas Alfonso pledges to rein in government spending, cut red tape, and lower costs in partnership with Donald Trump. **Fred Clark:** Supports lowering costs and rebuilding rural economy Clark criticizes both major parties for decades of affordability failures that allowed housing, healthcare, childcare, and education costs to outpace wages. He focuses on building a rural economic coalition that serves working families rather than wealthy elites. - Implement a Real Affordability Agenda targeting housing, healthcare, childcare, and education costs. - Rebuild the northern Wisconsin economy to foster prosperity for local workers and small businesses. - Refuse corporate PAC money to remain independent from special interest influence. > “In the last 50 years the costs of housing, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and college or post-high school education have all risen dramatically faster than wages.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) > “Now more than ever, people across the political spectrum want our elected representatives to represent ALL of us, not the billionaires and elites whose influence captures politicians of both parties.” > — Fred Clark, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Clark) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports reining in spending and cutting red tape Alfonso advocates reining in federal government spending and cutting regulations to lower the costs of energy, food, and housing. He aims to restore homeownership opportunities for young families and bring high-paying jobs to the district. - Cut red tape and curb federal spending to lower housing and living costs for young families. - Partner with President Trump to reduce energy, food, and housing costs. - Focus on bringing high-paying jobs to northern Wisconsin. > “Young Americans shouldn’t be priced out of homeownership. Michael Alfonso will rein in spending, cut red tape, and make it possible for young families to own homes again and build secure, hopeful futures.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) > “I'll work with President Trump to reform government, keep us safe, and bring down the cost of energy, food, and housing.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Alfonso) ### Immigration & Border Security Salience: high Clark supports a balanced approach pairing border security with humane entry for legal immigrants, while Alfonso opposes mass immigration and seeks to restrict programs like H-1B visas to protect American workers. **Fred Clark:** Supports smart border security and humane legal entry Clark advocates for a balanced immigration policy that secures the border and deters criminal activity while establishing legal, humane entry channels. He argues that legal immigration is necessary to meet the needs of American businesses and sustain cross-border commerce. - Strengthen border security to address criminal activity. - Provide safe, humane legal entry for immigrants to support American business workforce needs. > “We need a smarter immigration policy that keeps our border secure and addresses criminal activity, while allowing safe entry and humane treatment for legal immigrants to help meet the demands of American businesses and allow for a prosperous cross-border economy.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports strict immigration controls and curbing H-1B visas Alfonso calls for strict limits on immigration to protect domestic workers, raise wages, and preserve national identity. He opposes mass immigration and specifically targets worker programs like H-1B visas for undercutting American labor. - Restrict mass immigration and curtail visa programs like H-1B to protect American wages. - Secure the border to defend American workers and national identity. > “Immigration policy must serve the people of this country — not corporations. Mass immigration, including programs like H-1B, hurts American workers and undercuts wages.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) > “Not only is illegal immigration driving down wages, but we have some legal immigration doing it.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Alfonso) ### Abortion & Reproductive Rights Salience: high Clark supports protecting reproductive freedom and access to healthcare, whereas Alfonso opposes abortion entirely from conception and rejects mail-in abortion medication. **Fred Clark:** Supports abortion access and full reproductive healthcare Clark strongly supports protecting women's choices regarding reproductive healthcare in consultation with their healthcare providers. His platform supports broad access to and funding for reproductive healthcare, including contraception. - Protect women's rights to make reproductive healthcare choices with doctors. - Ensure funding and access for comprehensive reproductive health services, including contraception. > “As a candidate and as a former legislator I have firmly supported women’s freedom to make choices about reproductive care with their doctors, and I have consistently supported funding and access to a full range of reproductive health care for women of all ages including contraception.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) **Michael Alfonso:** Opposes abortion completely and supports restrictions on mail-in pills Alfonso maintains a firm pro-life position, asserting that life begins at conception and lasts until natural death. He praises the overturning of Roe v. Wade, opposes mail-in abortion medication, rejects assisted suicide, and has received the endorsement of the Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund PAC. - Oppose abortion from conception to natural death and endorse state restrictions. - Oppose the expansion of mail-in abortion pills and reject assisted suicide. - Earned endorsement from the Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund PAC. > “Like our Founding Fathers, Michael believes every person has an inherent right to life—from conception to natural death.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) > “Michael strongly opposes Democrats’ efforts to expand dangerous mail-in abortion pills.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: high Clark advocates for expanding affordable healthcare access and addressing corporate insurance profits, while Alfonso focuses on market-based transparency and reducing federal regulatory involvement. **Fred Clark:** Supports affordable comprehensive healthcare coverage Clark criticizes the high cost of medical care and insurance industry profits, advocating for policies that guarantee comprehensive, affordable healthcare to all citizens. In the state legislature, he urged state action to ensure universal access when federal reforms stalled. - Expand access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage for all residents. - Reduce insurance company profit barriers in the healthcare system. > “There is no reason the wealthiest country in the world should live with the most expensive health care in the world, that leaves millions without coverage, while insurance companies reap record profits.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) > “Since the federal government is failing to lead in one of the most pressing issues facing our country, Wisconsin must step up to ensure that every Wisconsin citizen has access to affordable, comprehensive health care.” > — Fred Clark, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Clark) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports market-based healthcare cost reduction and transparency Alfonso advocates for reducing healthcare costs for working families by increasing market transparency and prioritizing patient choices. He seeks to minimize federal bureaucratic influence and reduce insurer leverage. - Lower medical costs and mandate price transparency. - Prioritize patient needs over federal bureaucrats and insurance companies. > “Too many working families can’t afford medical care. Michael Alfonso will lower costs, increase transparency, and prioritize patients — not bureaucrats and insurers.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Agriculture & Forestry Salience: medium Clark emphasizes sustainable forest management and revenue diversification for rural land owners, while Alfonso calls for cutting agricultural regulations and promoting healthy food through the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. **Fred Clark:** Supports sustainable agriculture, forestry, and conservation Drawing on his career as a forester, Clark considers farms and forests to be the foundation of northern Wisconsin's economy. He supports helping land owners adapt to economic changes, develop new revenue streams, and advance conservation initiatives. - Help farmers and forest owners adapt and create new sources of revenue. - Promote conservation and public land stewardship. - Leverage professional forestry experience in policy creation. > “The farms and forests of Northern Wisconsin are the backbone for our economy and our way of life. Today more than ever, our farmers and forest owners need opportunities to adapt to changing times and develop new sources of revenue.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports cutting agricultural regulations and promoting Make America Healthy Again Alfonso focuses on strengthening local agriculture by cutting regulations on family farms and ensuring domestic food stability. Aligning with the Make America Healthy Again movement, he connects affordable, healthy local food with preventing chronic illness. - Reduce regulatory restrictions on local farms and agricultural producers. - Promote affordable healthy food to fight chronic illness under the #MAHA initiative. > “Strong farms mean strong families, and strong families mean a strong America. Michael Alfonso will cut burdensome restrictions, support local agriculture, and make healthy food affordable so we can fight chronic illness and prevent childhood obesity. #MAHA” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Education & School Choice Salience: medium Clark advocates for public school finance reform to ensure baseline adequacy across districts, while Alfonso supports expanding school choice, protecting homeschooling, and banning perceived classroom indoctrination. **Fred Clark:** Supports public school finance reform During his legislative career, Clark supported overhaul of Wisconsin's primary school funding system. He advocated for funding mechanisms that ensure every public school district receives adequate funding to meet state educational standards. - Reform primary school financing to ensure adequate funding across all public school districts. > “Wisconsin needs a complete reform of our primary school financing system. We need to fund schools using methods that will allow EVERY school district to meet our state’s own standards for adequacy in education.” > — Fred Clark, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Clark) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports school choice, homeschooling, and ending classroom indoctrination Alfonso emphasizes parental authority in education, backing school choice vouchers and protections for homeschooling families. He pledges to eliminate what he describes as Marxist race and gender indoctrination in public school curricula. - Expand school choice options and protect homeschooling rights. - End Marxist race and gender indoctrination in school classrooms. > “Parents — not bureaucrats — should decide what’s best for their children. Michael Alfonso will support school choice, boost homeschooling protections, and end Marxist race and gender indoctrination in classrooms.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Governance, Ethics & Anti-Corruption Salience: medium Clark targets money in politics by rejecting corporate PAC money and backing campaign finance reform, while Alfonso proposes banning congressional stock trading and returning federal power to state governments. **Fred Clark:** Supports campaign finance reform, legislative revolving door bans, and ending corporate PAC influence Clark focuses on institutional integrity and oversight, refusing corporate PAC contributions for his campaign. During his legislative tenure, he sponsored legislation banning former lawmakers from lobbying for 12 months after leaving office and advocated for campaign finance reform. - Refuse corporate PAC contributions. - Support campaign finance reform to protect 'one person, one vote.' - Previously sponsored AB-245 to ban former legislators from lobbying for 12 months post-office. > “The Clark for Wisconsin Campaign does not accept contributions from corporate Political Action Committees.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) > “We continue to believe in the democratic principle of one person-one vote. Yet Wisconsin’s regulation of campaign financing is not up the task of protecting that promise.” > — Fred Clark, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Clark) **Michael Alfonso:** Supports congressional stock trading bans and returning power to states Alfonso proposes ending corruption in Congress by barring lawmakers from trading individual stocks while in office. He also advocates reducing the scale of the federal government and returning decision-making authority to state governments. - Ban members of Congress from trading stocks. - Shrink federal government size and restore power to the states. > “Public service should be about serving, not getting rich. Michael Alfonso will fight to ban members of Congress from trading stocks.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) > “The Founders never intended for the federal government to become a bloated, dysfunctional monstrosity. Michael Alfonso will return power to the states and reduce the size of government.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Foreign Policy & Foreign Aid Salience: medium **Fred Clark:** No documented position in our sources **Michael Alfonso:** Opposes foreign aid and forever wars; supports America First Alfonso champions an America First foreign policy, arguing that federal spending on foreign aid and foreign conflicts should be halted. He advocates redirecting federal tax dollars to fix domestic problems like homelessness. - End wasteful foreign spending and foreign conflict participation. - Redirect resources to domestic issues, including homelessness in Wisconsin. > “Instead of helping Americans at home, Washington poured billions of dollars into forever wars and foreign aid. Meanwhile, thousands of people are homeless and suffering in Wisconsin alone. Michael Alfonso will put America First, fix problems here, and stop wasteful foreign spending.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### AI, Technology & Data Centers Salience: medium **Fred Clark:** Supports public oversight and regulations on AI and data centers Clark acknowledges the potential of artificial intelligence while warning of risks without federal guardrails. He supports government oversight on AI development and public regulation regarding data center construction. - Establish federal guardrails and public oversight for artificial intelligence. - Enforce public oversight and regulatory controls on data center expansion. > “We can only capture the opportunities and benefits of AI with effective government oversight and that needs to happen now.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) > “We can only realize those benefits however by taking a strong public oversight of this technology and how it is built out.” > — Fred Clark, via [Campaign site](https://www.clarkforwi.com) **Michael Alfonso:** No documented position in our sources ### Gun Rights & Second Amendment Salience: medium **Fred Clark:** No documented position in our sources **Michael Alfonso:** Supports constitutional carry and gun rights protection Alfonso treats Second Amendment rights as non-negotiable and pledges to oppose any legislation restricting firearm ownership. He explicitly endorses constitutional carry laws and self-defense rights. - Oppose federal gun control legislation. - Support constitutional carry laws. > “Our right to bear arms is non-negotiable. Michael Alfonso will protect the Second Amendment against any attempt to weaken it. He backs constitutional carry and our right to defend ourselves.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ### Religious Freedom & Social Values Salience: low **Fred Clark:** No documented position in our sources **Michael Alfonso:** Supports protecting religious freedom and empowering Gen Z conservative values Alfonso pledges to safeguard religious liberty against government interference, referencing pandemic-era restrictions on worship services. He positions himself as a voice for Gen Z conservative and Christian values. - Prevent government restrictions on religious worship. - Represent conservative and Christian values among younger generations. > “During the pandemic, politicians trampled on our right to worship. This must never happen again. Michael Alfonso will hold the line on religious liberty and block government overreach.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) > “Gen Z is shifting right in record numbers. More conservative. More Christian. But Washington doesn’t represent them right now.” > — Michael Alfonso, via [Campaign site](http://www.alfonsoforwisconsin.com/) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/wi-07-house-election-winner) — WI-07 House Election Winner: Republicans 93.0%, Democrats 5.9% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-WI07-26) — WI-07 House winner?: Michael Alfonso 93.9%, Fred Clark 6.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXWIPRIMARY-07R26) — WI-07 Republican nominee?: Michael Alfonso 99.0%, Jessi Ebben 1.0%, Cheryl Ann Runkel 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXWIPRIMARY-07D26) — WI-07 Democratic nominee?: Fred Clark 99.0%, Chris Armstrong 2.0%, Ginger Murray 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-wi-07)