Joseph "Joe" Kaufman
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joseph "Joe" Kaufman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 23
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Univ of Maryland, College Park, BA, 1993
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
David Horowitz Freedom Center, Shillman Fellow, Joe Kaufman Security Initiative
Chairman, Broward Special Olympics, Newsletter Editor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Republican Nominee for U.S. Congress, District 23, 2016, 2018
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (5)
Paul Vallely, USA Maj. Gen. Ret
*National Right To Life
Allen West
Florida Family Action
Maria Espinoza
OTHER (2)
Tom Homan
Working Mothers for Donald Trump International
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2013)
State Republican Party Organizations (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Peter & Maria Zieve (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
Richard & Elizabeth Uihlein (2018)
Vince Kolber (2018)
Irving & Cherna Moskowitz (2015)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I am pro-Life and do not want a dime of taxpayer funds going towards abortion providers.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
As an observant Jew, I personally believe that abortions should only take place if the life of the mother is in jeopardy.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
I am pro-Life and will support pro-Life legislation as Congressman.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Cut taxes, lower government spending, and expand energy production in the U.S.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Radical environmentalists do not understand that the greatest thing one can do to have a beautiful environment is to have a great economy to pay for it. Initiatives like ESG only make us spend taxpayer monies in ways that make no sense and that ultimately harm both our economy and environment.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Most people believe 'separation of church and state' is to keep the church teachings out of the state, but actually it is the opposite; it is to keep the state from doing harm to the church.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I leave that to each entity to decide. If someone does not wish to be affiliated with that entity, they can choose to go elsewhere. Regarding Covid shots, as Congressman, I will fight to stop any mandates requiring the taking of such shots.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C. With the high premiums and deductibles in today’s government-run healthcare, the government has shown that it does not know how to run healthcare properly and has done terrible harm to the Middle Class.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B. The 9/11 attacks showed us that what happens over there could very well affect us over here and in a huge way. That is one of the reasons why we should support Israel in her fight against Iran and its proxies. Israel is our 'front lines,' when it comes to terror. I would never wish for America to divorce herself from the world.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I believe, as the Bible states, those who bless Israel shall be blessed, and those who curse Israel shall be cursed.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
A combination of a lack of respect for the military from the U.S. government, a lack of patriotism by many Americans, and bad foreign policy decisions.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
100%. Finish the wall!
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who have something positive to provide to the U.S. Ultimately, all who come to the U.S. – for work or to live – need to do so LEGALLY. My great-grandparents, who came here to escape the Nazis, did so legally. They spent years working hard, and when they became U.S. citizens, they kissed the ground. My wife, Emily, grew up in Peru and spent time in Israel. She received a sponsorship to stay in America, working hard, eventually getting her citizenship. They came for freedom, not a free ride.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
In 2018, my wife Emily and I had the honor of being invited to the Trump White House to advocate for school vouchers. We were then broken up into groups, a half-dozen of us sent to the office of then-Congressman Ron DeSantis. I was the spokesman for the group. I told him, for the faith community, it is a necessity that we send our kids to religious private school; we pay our taxes, and we would like something off. Soon Governor DeSantis passed one of the largest School Choice bills in the U.S.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
No way!
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My wife, daughter and I are observant Jews. We read the Bible (Tenach), keep kosher, and celebrate Shabbat and all the Jewish holidays. My wife Emily teaches Hebrew and Spanish at a well-known Yeshiva, and my daughter Ruth goes to a religious academy.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely not!
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
I 100% agree!
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The most reliable energy source would probably be nuclear, but I’m not sure that’s the best option. The best option is probably a combination of different energy sources.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
I am a Constitutional Conservative. I am pro-Life, pro-gun and pro-Trump!
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect our God-given rights as Americans, provide for the national defense, and instill in our nation the Rule of Law.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
My family and I support the 'thin blue line.' Being a police officer, many times, is a thankless job. We teach our daughter to say "Thank you" every time she is near and officer.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No further restrictions are necessary. Every time we create more restrictions, we water down our rights and assist criminals who care nothing about our laws.
