U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy is not just new to Washington, D.C.

Duffy is also still figuring out how to fill out a personal financial disclosure form.

In his first filing since winning in November, the freshman congressman disclosed that he and his wife own assets worth between $110,011 and $400,000. His obligations run somewhere in the range between $210,006 and $550,000.



Clearly, Duffy is no Herb Kohl or Ron Johnson.

But his most recent report indicates that his debts have been sliced in two since he last reported them as a candidate in May 2010.

Daniel Son , spokesman for Duffy, said the difference is due to the fact that Duffy didn't include the mortgage on his house in the most recent report. Neither members of Congress nor congressional candidates are required to list that as a liability, Son said.

More interesting, the Hayward Republican failed to list several investments - each worth between $1,000 and $15,000 - that he previously reported owning as a candidate. His spokesman said Duffy had sold those items but forgot to say that on the form.

"They were sold during the disclosure period, and the value for each should have been listed as 'none,'" Son said. "Congressman Duffy is amending his candidate financial disclosure to reflect that."



Duffy had no explanation as to why his salary as Ashland County district attorney showed an uptick in his final weeks on the job.

Last year, he reported earning $34,000 during his first 4 1/2 months on the job in 2010. That works out to about $1,800 a week.

In his most recent filing, he said he earned $46,312 as the DA, a post he left on June 25. That means he pulled down $12,312 in his final six weeks on the job, a rate of more than $2,000 a week.

Duffy was frequently criticized by his former opponent and one of his assistant district attorneys for spending more time on the campaign trail than at work.

Son said his boss is not sure why his salary increased in his final weeks on the job.

"Sean is going off what the payroll office gave him," Son said.

In a constituent meeting in Amery in February, Duffy explained that he was struggling to pay his bills. As a U.S. rep, he makes $174,000 per year.

"I guarantee I have more debt than all of you," he said in response to a constituent who challenged the amount of congressional salaries.

"With six kids, I still pay off my student loans. I still pay my mortgage. I drive a used minivan. If you think I'm living high on the hog, I've got one paycheck. So I struggle to meet my bills right now. Would it be easier for me if I get more paychecks? Maybe, but at this point, I'm not living high on the hog."

