| State: | Wisconsin |
| District Number: | 7 |
| Image Caption: | Interactive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023 |
| Representative: | Tom Tiffany |
| Party: | Republican |
| Residence: | Minocqua |
| English Area: | 18,786.53 |
| Percent Urban: | 42.04 |
| Percent Rural: | 57.96 |
| Population: | 740,385 |
| Population Year: | 2022 |
| Median Income: | $66,222[1] |
| Percent White: | 89.5 |
| Percent Black: | 0.7 |
| Percent Asian: | 1.6 |
| Percent Native American: | 2.0 |
| Percent Hispanic: | 2.6 |
| Percent Other Race: | 0.3 |
| Percent More Than One Race: | 3.3 |
| Cpvi: | R+12[2] |
Wisconsin's 7th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in northwestern and central Wisconsin; it is the largest congressional district in the state geographically, covering 20 counties (in whole or part), for a total of 18,787 sq mi. The district contains the following counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, St. Croix, Chippewa (partial), Clark, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jackson (partial), Juneau (partial), Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Monroe (partial), Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, and Wood (partial).
The district is currently represented by Republican Tom Tiffany.
While in 2008, the district gave 56% of the vote to Barack Obama, it has swung to the Republicans in recent presidential elections with Mitt Romney winning with 51% of the vote in 2012 and Donald Trump winning with 58% of the vote in 2016. Additionally, left-leaning Portage County (which contains the city of Stevens Point) was removed from the 7th and added to the 3rd during the hotly contested 2013 redistricting. Since these shifts, the rural 7th has surpassed the suburban 5th as the most Republican district in Wisconsin.
Agriculture is a major industry and employer in the rural 7th district.[3] This district has been a major producer of milk from cows, grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and dry peas.[4] 60% of the farmland in this district is used for crop production, another major economic stimulant.
| County | Seat | Population | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ashland | Ashland | 16,107 | |
| 5 | Barron | Barron | 46,719 | |
| 7 | Bayfield | Washburn | 16,320 | |
| 13 | Burnett | Siren | 16,744 | |
| 17 | Chippewa | Chippewa Falls | 66,865 | |
| 19 | Clark | Neillsville | 34,746 | |
| 31 | Douglas | Superior | 44,203 | |
| 37 | Florence | Florence | 4,593 | |
| 41 | Forest | Crandon | 9,258 | |
| 51 | Iron | Hurley | 6,178 | |
| 53 | Jackson | Black River Falls | 21,121 | |
| 57 | Juneau | Mauston | 26,802 | |
| 67 | Langlade | Antigo | 19,502 | |
| 69 | Lincoln | Merrill | 28,541 | |
| 73 | Marathon | Wausau | 137,648 | |
| 81 | Monroe | Sparta | 46,193 | |
| 85 | Oneida | Rhinelander | 38,259 | |
| 95 | Polk | Balsam Lake | 45,431 | |
| 99 | Price | Phillips | 14,050 | |
| 107 | Rusk | Ladysmith | 14,123 | |
| 113 | Sawyer | Hayward | 18,295 | |
| 109 | St. Croix | Hudson | 95,044 | |
| 119 | Taylor | Medford | 19,923 | |
| 125 | Vilas | Eagle River | 23,520 | |
| 129 | Washburn | Shell Lake | 16,752 | |
| 141 | Wood | Wisconsin Rapids | 74,070 |
Ashland, Butternut, and Mellen.
Almena, Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Cumberland, Dallas, Haugen, Prairie Farm, Rice Lake, and Turtle Lake.
Bayfield, Mason, and Washburn.
Grantsburg, Siren, and Webster.
Bloomer, Boyd, Cadott, Cornell, New Auburn, and Stanley.
Abbotsford (Clark County side), Colby, Curtiss, Dorchester, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Neillsville, Owen, Thorp, and Withee.
Lake Nebagamon, Oliver, Poplar, Solon Springs, and Superior.
Aurora, Commonwealth, Fence, Fern, Florence, Homestead, Long Lake, and Tipler.
Alma, Bear Bluff, City Point, Cleveland, Garden Valley, Knapp, and Merrillan (part).
Armenia, Clearfield (most), Cutler, Finley, Germantown (half), Kingston, and Necedah.
Antigo and White Lake.
Athens, Edgar, Elderon, Fenwood, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Schofield, Spencer, Stratford, Unity, and Wausau.
La Grange, Lincoln, and Warrens.
Amery, Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Osceola, and St. Croix Falls.
Catawba, Kennan, Park Falls, Phillips, and Prentice.
Bruce, Conrath, Glen Flora, Hawkins, Ingram, Ladysmith, Sheldon, Tony, and Weyerhaeuser.
Couderay, Exeland, Hayward, Radisson, and Winter.
Baldwin, Deer Park, Glenwood City, Hammond, Hudson, New Richmond, North Hudson, River Falls (St. Croix side), Roberts, Somerset, Spring Valley (St. Croix side), Star Prairie, Wilson, and Woodville.
Gilman, Lublin, Medford, Rib Lake, and Stetsonville.
Arbor Vitae, Boulder Junction, Cloverland, Conover, Eagle River, Lac du Flambeau, Land O' Lakes, Lincoln, Manitowish Waters, Phelps, Plum Lake, Presque Isle, St. Germain, and Washington.
Birchwood, Minong, Shell Lake, and Spooner.
Arpin, Auburndale, Hewitt, Marshfield, and Pittsville.
| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District established March 4, 1873 | ||||||||
| align=left | Jeremiah Rusk | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877 | Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Retired. | Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Trempealeau, & Vernon counties | ||
| align=left | Herman L. Humphrey | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883 | Elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Lost renomination. | |||
| align=left | Gilbert M. Woodward | Democratic | nowrap | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 | Elected in 1882. Lost re-election. | Crawford, Juneau, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, & Vernon counties | ||
| align=left | Ormsby B. Thomas | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1891 | Elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Lost re-election. | |||
| align=left | Frank P. Coburn | Democratic | nowrap | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893 | Elected in 1890. Lost re-election. | |||
| align=left | George B. Shaw | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1893 – August 27, 1894 | Elected in 1892. Died. | Buffalo, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, & Trempealeau counties | ||
| Vacant | nowrap | August 27, 1894 – November 5, 1894 | ||||||
| align=left | Michael Griffin | Republican | nowrap | November 5, 1894 – March 3, 1899 | Elected to finish Shaw's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1896. Retired. | |||
John J. Esch | Republican | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1921 | Elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Lost renomination. | |||||
| Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, & Trempealeau counties | ||||||||
| Adams, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Monroe, Sauk, & Vernon counties | ||||||||
| align=left | Joseph D. Beck | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1929 | Elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Retired to run for Governor of Wisconsin. | |||
| align=left | Merlin Hull | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1929 – March 3, 1931 | Elected in 1928. Lost renomination. | |||
| align=left | Gardner R. Withrow | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1931 – March 3, 1933 | Elected in 1930. Redistricted to the . | |||
Gerald J. Boileau | Republican | nowrap | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Lost re-election. | Adams, Langlade, Marathon, Marquette, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, & Wood counties | |||
| Progressive | nowrap | January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1939 | ||||||
| align=left | Reid F. Murray | Republican | nowrap | January 3, 1939 – April 29, 1952 | Elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Died. | |||
| Vacant | nowrap | April 29, 1952 – January 3, 1953 | ||||||
Melvin Laird | Republican | January 3, 1953 – January 21, 1969 | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Defense. | |||||
| Adams, Clark, Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Menominee, Portage, Shawano, Taylor, Waupaca, Waushara, & Wood counties | ||||||||
| Vacant | nowrap | January 21, 1969 – April 1, 1969 | ||||||
Dave Obey | Democratic | April 1, 1969 – January 3, 2011 | Elected to finish Laird's term. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Retired. | |||||
| Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Washburn, & Wood counties & | ||||||||
| Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, & Washburn counties & | ||||||||
| 1993–2003 | ||||||||
| 2003–2013 | ||||||||
Sean Duffy | Republican | January 3, 2011 – September 23, 2019 | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Resigned due to family health issues. | |||||
| 2013–2023 | ||||||||
| Vacant | nowrap | September 23, 2019 – May 19, 2020 | ||||||
Tom Tiffany | Republican | May 19, 2020 – present | Elected to finish Duffy's term. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. | |||||
| 2023–present | ||||||||
| Year | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002[5] | Democratic | 146,364 | 64.21% | Rep. | 81,518 | 35.76% | 227,955 | 64,846 | |||
| 2004[6] | Democratic | 241,306 | 85.64% | Grn. | 26,518 | 9.41% | 281,752 | 214,788 | |||
| Con. | 12,841 | 4.56% | |||||||||
| 2006[7] | Democratic | 161,903 | 62.17% | Rep. | 91,069 | 34.97% | 260,428 | 70,834 | |||
| Grn. | 7,391 | 2.84% | |||||||||
| 2008[8] | Democratic | 212,666 | 60.79% | Rep. | 136,938 | 39.14% | 349,837 | 75,728 | |||
| 2010[9] | Republican | 132,551 | 52.11% | Dem. | 113,018 | 44.43% | 254,389 | 19,533 | |||
| Ind. | 8,397 | 3.30% | |||||||||
| Year | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012[10] | Republican | 201,720 | 56.08% | Dem. | 157,524 | 43.80% | 359,669 | 44,196 | ||||
| Ind. | 20 | 0.01% | ||||||||||
| 2014[11] | Republican | 169,891 | 59.28% | Dem. | 112,949 | 39.41% | 286,603 | 56,942 | ||||
| Ind. | 3,686 | 1.29% | ||||||||||
| Ind. | 30 | 0.01% | ||||||||||
| Ind. | 5 | 0.00% | ||||||||||
| 2016[12] | Republican | 223,418 | 61.67% | Dem. | 138,643 | 38.27% | 362,271 | 84,775 | ||||
| 2018[13] | Republican | 194,061 | 60.11% | Dem. | 124,307 | 38.50% | 322,840 | 69,754 | ||||
| Ind. | 4,416 | 1.37% | ||||||||||
| 2020[14] | Republican | 109,498 | 57.11% | Dem. | 82,135 | 42.84% | 191,720 | 27,363 | ||||
| Rep. | 3 | 0.00% | ||||||||||
| Ind. | 2 | 0.00% | ||||||||||
| 2020[15] | Republican | 252,048 | 60.73% | Dem. | 162,741 | 39.21% | 415,007 | 89,307 | ||||
| Year | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Gore 48 - 47% | |
| 2004 | Kerry 50 - 49% | |
| 2008 | Obama 56 - 43% | |
| 2012 | Romney 51 - 48% | |
| 2016 | Trump 58 - 37% | |
| 2020 | Trump 59 - 39% |