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D Democratic · U.S. House 7, Wisconsin · Nov 3, 2026

Fred
Clark

Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District; former state legislator and professional forester

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
22
positions
12
endorsements
16
clarkforwi.com ↗(opens in a new tab) Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Michael Alfonso R Compare race →

Background

Fred Clark is the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, competing for an open seat vacated by incumbent Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor. Clark faces Republican nominee Michael Alfonso. 36

Clark is a forester and land manager by profession. He owned Clark Forestry, worked as a forestry consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, served as a forest ecologist for The Nature Conservancy, and led Wisconsin's Green Fire, a conservation nonprofit. He studied forestry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison after moving to Wisconsin in 1989, and is reported to live in the Bayfield area of Northern Wisconsin. 2311

Clark previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing a Baraboo-area district for three terms from 2009 to 2014. He is not currently holding elected office. 34

Clark won the Democratic primary on August 12, 2026, and has since held town halls and participated in televised debates as the Democratic nominee for the 7th Congressional District. 3910

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 7, Wisconsin
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
clarkforwi.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 8
    debate
    Debate coverage highlights Clark's focus on rural growth and his claim of no national Democratic Party funding

    WSAW quoted Clark saying affordable housing, childcare, and public investment were reasons young people were not returning to Northwoods communities. WPR reported Clark stated he had received no money from the national Democratic Party. No complete fundraising comparison was provided.

    Clark, Alfonso debate rural economic growth in only face-to ... - WSAW · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    debate
    Clark debates Alfonso in Duluth, Minnesota in what may be the only debate of the race

    WDIO-TV hosted a debate between Clark and Republican Michael Alfonso. Clark called for bipartisan work, federal support for small businesses, and ending tariffs he said harmed farmers. He said he had not called for shutting down Line 5 but demanded accountability over its spill. The candidates also discussed data centers, schools, agriculture, and foreign policy.

    Candidates for 7th Congressional District to hold only ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    endorsement
    Letter rallies votes for Clark in 7th Congressional District race

    A letter published in the Wausau Pilot & Review encouraged voters to support Clark in the upcoming general election.

    Your letters: Writer rallies votes for 7th Congressional District race · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 1
    news
    Clark unveils 'New North' rural economic plan; campaign finance gap acknowledged

    WSAW reported Clark introduced an economic initiative aimed at northern Wisconsin. He acknowledged being at a financial disadvantage but cited more than 2,500 individual donors, and criticized Alfonso's out-of-state contributors including transportation-sector companies. Full finalized fundraising totals were not yet available.

    Clark introduces rural economic plan as 7th Congressional ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 30
    endorsement
    Letter encourages voters to support Clark in 7th Congressional District race

    A letter published in the Wausau Pilot & Review rallied support for Clark ahead of the November general election.

    Your letters: Writer encourages vote for Clark in 7th ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 30
    news
    Clark discusses data centers, health care, and economy with constituents in Merrill

    At a meeting with constituents alongside other candidates, Clark discussed key issues and said he would soon introduce a plan called 'the New North,' per WSAW.

    7th Congressional candidates visit Rothschild manufacturer ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 25
    news
    Clark hosts town hall in Ladysmith to meet Rusk County voters

    WEAU reported that Clark, the Democratic nominee, held an open house in Ladysmith. Described as a longtime forester and land manager, he told voters he would listen and seek solutions to their concerns.

    Fred Clark, Democratic nominee for 7th Congressional District, hosts town hall · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 23
    endorsement
    Nurses for America endorses Fred Clark for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District

    The organization's 2026 midterm endorsement page, updated September 23, listed 'CD-07 Fred Clark' among its endorsed candidates.

    2026 Midterm Endorsements - Nurses for America · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 16
    endorsement
    Letter to the editor urges vote for Clark in CD7

    A letter published in the Pierce County Journal encouraged voters in the 7th Congressional District to support Fred Clark.

    Letter to the editor: Vote for Clark in CD7 · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Aug 11
    news
    Fred Clark wins Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District

    Clark received 25,716 votes (37.66%), ahead of Ginger Murray and Chris Armstrong, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission canvass summarized by The Conservative Ledger. The win set up his general election matchup against Republican Michael Alfonso.

    Michael Alfonso: Wisconsin 7th District 2026 · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Mary Motiff official
    Mayor of Washburn. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Angela Stroud official
    Wisconsin state representative. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Jim Paine official
    Mayor of Superior. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Peter Barca official
    Former U.S. representative and state representative. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Beth Meyers official
    Former Wisconsin state representative. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Mary Hubler official
    Former Wisconsin state representative. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Harlan Dodge official
    Mayor of Rice Lake. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Thomas Bauknecht official
    Mayor of Antigo. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Rowie Hansberger official
    Mayor of Shell Lake. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Jeff Smith official
    Wisconsin state senator. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Janet Bewley official
    Former Wisconsin state senator. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Jim Holperin official
    Former Wisconsin state senator. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • Mandy Roberts official
    Former Wisconsin state representative. Listed on Clark's campaign endorsements page; no date provided. clarkforwi.com
  • 350 Wisconsin Action organization
    Included Fred Clark for U.S. Congress, District 7, in its 2026 fall-election endorsement slate, framed around data centers and affordability. wispolitics.com · Aug 19, 2026
  • Mark Pocan official
    U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 2nd District. wispolitics.com · Jul 21, 2026
  • David Obey official
    Former U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th District. Campaign quoted Obey saying he was 'excited to endorse Fred Clark.' wispolitics.com · Jul 7, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$423K
Spent
$249K
Cash on hand
$174K

As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6WI07207(opens in a new tab)

Sources 22

  1. [1] 7th CD candidates Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  2. [2] Clark Unveils Economic Vision for Northern Wisconsin(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  3. [3] Clark, Alfonso debate rural economic growth in only face-to ... - WSAW(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Candidates for 7th Congressional District to hold only ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  5. [5] Debate in the 7th Wednesday between Alfonso, Clark(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  6. [6] Your letters: Writer rallies votes for 7th Congressional District race(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  7. [7] Clark introduces rural economic plan as 7th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] 7th Congressional candidates visit Rothschild manufacturer ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  9. [9] Your letters: Writer encourages vote for Clark in 7th ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  10. [10] Fred Clark, Democratic nominee for 7th Congressional District, hosts town hall(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  11. [11] Clark to Alfonso: Show Us Your Guns(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  12. [12] 2026 Midterm Endorsements - Nurses for America(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  13. [13] Michael Alfonso: Wisconsin 7th District 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  14. [14] Letter to the editor: Vote for Clark in CD7(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  15. [15] 350 Wisconsin Action: Fall 2026 election is 'all about data centers and affordability'(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
  16. [16] Meet the Democratic candidates for 7th Congressional District seat(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
  17. [17] Clark campaign: Congressman Mark Pocan Endorses ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026
  18. [18] Democratic candidates debate ahead of 7th Congressional District primary(opens in a new tab) Jul 15, 2026
  19. [19] Clark campaign: Former Congressman Dave Obey ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 7, 2026
  20. [20] Endorsements — Clark for Wisconsin(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2025
  21. [21] Fred Clark — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2025
  22. [22] Wisconsin-based Priorities(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2025
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