
WI-07 Republican nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Marine Corps veteran
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
GenderMale
LocationWisconsin
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BackgroundU.S. Marine Corps veteran
Notable personal detailsKevin J. Hermening is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He was a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and is publicly known as one of the Americans held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis. He has also been involved in Republican Party politics in Marathon County, Wisconsin and has described business experience as part of his background.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Kevin Hermening's campaign messaging emphasizes lowering costs, supporting small businesses, and addressing fiscal mismanagement and rising national debt. He frames his economic priorities around reducing burdens on families and small businesses and strengthening rural communities. Specific proposals on tax rates or major tax increases are not found in the sourced campaign materials reviewed.
Healthcare
Kevin Hermening lists health care among his top priorities and emphasizes lowering health-care costs and fiscal responsibility in Washington. Public materials and local news interviews describe concern that health policy is not being handled well in D.C. but do not lay out specific policy prescriptions such as support for/against the ACA, a public option, Medicare for All, or Medicaid changes.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes border security and stronger immigration enforcement; his campaign materials list border security as a central concern. Past published commentary attributed to him advocated immediate, widespread deportation of undocumented immigrants and other strongly enforcement-first measures.
News
Kevin Hermening is in the news because he is running in the Republican primary for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. The Aug. 11 race is drawing attention as he challenges Michael Alfonso, who has Donald Trump and other GOP backing. The contest is being framed as a test of whether Alfonso's endorsements and fundraising can outweigh criticism from local Republicans about his experience.
Polls

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Endorsers of Kevin Hermening for WI-07 Republican nominee?
Senate President Mary Felzkowski
Elected official
Senate President Mary Felzkowski endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress.
Sawyer County GOP Chair John Righeimer
Public endorsement
Sawyer County GOP Chair John Righeimer endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress.
State Senator Romaine Quinn
Elected official
State Senator Romaine Quinn endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress.
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb
Public endorsement
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress.
State Rep. Patrick Snyder
Public figure
State Rep. Patrick Snyder endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress.
State Rep. Brent Jacobson
Public figure
State Rep. Brent Jacobson endorsed Kevin Hermening for Congress in the Republican primary.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC





