Bon Iver manager Kyle Frenette to run for Congress in Sean Duffy's district

WAUSAU - The longtime manager of indie artist Bon Iver is taking a break from the music industry to run for Congress.

Kyle Frenette, founder of artist management firm Middle West Management, plans to mount a bid for the Democratic nomination for the 7th Congressional District. The seat has been held by U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, a Wausau Republican, since 2011.

Frenette, of Chetek, has managed Eau Claire native Justin Vernon and his indie folk band Bon Iver since 2007, helping catapult the band to success. Bon Iver debuted that year with "For Emma, Forever Ago," which went platinum, and has since produced two other full-length albums. The two-time Grammy award winner has become a fixture on music festival lineups across the country, and Vernon started a festival of his own in his hometown.

Frenette also manages the solo career of Bon Iver's drummer, Sean Carey, who goes by the stage name S. Carey.

Duffy has gained national recognition, as well, with frequent appearances on Fox News talk shows, as has his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, now a guest co-host of the network's "Fox & Friends" morning program.

RELATED: Polk County attorney to run for Rep. Sean Duffy's seat in 2018 election

RELATED: How Bon Iver's 'For Emma' changed Justin Vernon's life — and the world

In an out-of-office reply from his Middle West email account, Frenette wrote that he is running for Congress and provided a link for people to donate to his campaign. He said he expects to formally announce his candidacy within the next two weeks.

"This state and this country are in desperate need of better leadership," he wrote.

Frenette submitted his statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission late last month, according to the commission's website. He joins Polk County attorney and military veteran Margaret Engebretson, who announced her campaign earlier this week. The FEC also lists Allen Campos, of Sheldon, as a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

The primary will take place Aug. 14.