Will The Real Sean Duffy Please Stand Up?
When President-elect Donald Trump announced former U.S. Rep. Sean P. Duffy (R-Wis.) as his pick for secretary of transportation, Sean M. Duffy, executive director of the Big River Coalition, received calls and texts of congratulations from friends who saw the headlines and thought it was him.
After all, given Sean M.’s extensive background in maritime transportation, the idea was plausible. Most recently, he was a leader in the push to dredge the Mississippi River Ship Channel to 50 feet.
As it turns out, this isn’t the first time Louisiana Sean has been mistaken for Wisconsin Sean, who served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019.
“While Sean P. Duffy was in Congress, people would ask me how I liked being a congressman,” Sean M. said. “I would laugh and explain, ‘I do not think I have ever been to Wisconsin. I know I have never been a congressman.’”
To further complicate matters, Sean M.’s son was an intern for Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) during Sean P.’s tenure in the House, and people often assumed he was Wisconsin Sean’s son. Sean M. said he would joke that his quick wit could serve as a good indicator that he wasn’t an elected official.
“Most people who really know me admit I have a good sense of humor,” Sean M. said, “and while working on the Hill, that can sometimes be tough.”
Sean P. Duffy first made a name for himself as a character on MTV’s 1997 reality show “The Real World: Boston” and on “Road Rules: All Stars” the following year. As a youngster, Sean P. began competing in log rolling and speed pole climbing, which he later parlayed into color commentary roles on ESPN. Besides his time in Congress, Sean P. Duffy also served as district attorney of Ashland County, Wis. Most recently, he has cohosted the Fox Business show “The Bottom Line” with Dagen McDowell.
While Sean P. was serving in Congress, Sean M. said he was eager to meet the Wisconsin native who shares his first and last name.
“I would walk past his door and think, ‘I wish I had time to go in,’” Sean M. said. “I walked by his office at least six times before I had enough time to go in for an introduction.”
When Sean M. finally did have time to stop, the encounter between the two Sean Duffys proved well worth the wait.
“I walked into his office with a handful of business cards in my hand,” Sean M. said. “In the center of the room, amongst the staffers at the reception desk, I say, ‘I am the real Sean Duffy.’ So, I have everyone’s attention and am handing out cards fast, hoping that Capitol Police are not called. I notice the young lady who was the most panicked by my entrance start smiling when she read the name on my business card. Then I see the others who got cards, and they are all now laughing.
“The congressman himself walks out. I put my hand out. We shake hands, and I say, ‘I am Sean Duffy,’ ” Sean M. said. “He looks at me, puzzled, reads my card and says, ‘I have never met another Sean Duffy.’ I tell him I have another Sean Duffy at home, Sean M.T. Duffy Jr. I tried on multiple occasions to introduce the congressman to my son, but we could never align our schedules.”
Louisiana Sean said Wisconsin Sean’s response earned him instant respect.
“The congressman looked at me and said, ‘I am a lumberjack, and I would like to get you out to Wisconsin for a log-rolling competition,’ ” Sean M. said. “I responded, ‘Well sir, I am a rugby player, and I would be glad to come get rolled off a log in Wisconsin if you will come to New Orleans and get in the scrum with me in a rugby match.’ In nanoseconds, the congressman reached out to shake my hand and said, ‘How about we call that a draw.’ He made me laugh, smile and earned instant respect. Being quick on your feet is important, and with his rapid response, I knew he was also quick-witted.”
Sean M. said he expects Sean P., once confirmed, to be a good partner in supporting the country’s maritime transportation system. In addition, he’s still hoping to introduce him to the other Sean Duffy.
“I hope that, due to his new appointment, the three Sean Duffys can gather for a photo op,” Sean M. said. “I look forward to working with Sean P. Duffy.”
