Joe Kaufman, who nearly flipped a Democratic seat in 2024, is mounting another run in Florida after redistricting reshaped the map. He has declared a campaign for the new 25th District and is pushing a platform built on national security experience, vocational training in schools, and rolling back the Affordable Care Act. Kaufman leans into his record on counter-terrorism and frames 2026 as a chance for Republicans to regain ground by contrasting his approach with the failures he blames on Democrats.
Kaufman lost a razor-thin race in 2024 in a district long held by Democrats, and that close result is the backbone of his optimism. He says the campaign last time came together late, and this time he’s building the organization and coalitions he lacked. That message drives his promise to win the 25th District in the next cycle.
He confirmed he plans to run in the newly drawn 25th District, where several incumbents are weighing options and the field is likely to be competitive. Kaufman argues the map now gives Republicans a real shot despite national headwinds. He positions himself as a disciplined alternative to career politicians.
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Kaufman markets himself as a candidate with practical foreign policy credentials and a focus on counter-terrorism. He frequently points to his work shutting down terror-linked charities and disrupting violent networks as proof he understands threats. That background is central to his pitch to voters who prioritize national security.
“Yes, we had 48% of the vote. It was the closest race in all of Florida and the highest percentage of any Republican to ever run for that seat. But back then, I got in very late in the game and this time around our numbers are much better, and we’ve been able to form those coalitions that we needed to last time. We’ve done that now, and I will win this seat this time.”
He is blunt about what he calls his counter-terrorism work. “I do counter-terrorism research, writing and lectures.” He adds that he has been involved in “the shutdown of terrorist charities and the imprisonment of terror-related individuals. Recently, I led the shutdown of a pro-Hamas conference that was to take place in Coral Springs, and the organizers, including CAIR and the South Florida Muslim Federation, they were upset, so they sued me and the Marriott Corporation in federal court. They sued us not once, but twice and I’m proud to say that we won not once, but twice.”
Kaufman points to international ties he says strengthen his perspective on Iran and the region. “He says in regard to foreign policy, “I’ve been very involved these past few years in what’s been taking place. 17 years ago, I was honored to co-found a group called Cyrus Force with his majesty, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who we believe is going to be soon to be a future leader of Iran.” He uses that affiliation to argue for a firm stance against Tehran without reckless escalation.
On the question of boots on the ground, Kaufman is careful and resolute. “No, I don’t support ground troops, at least not from the United States. I don’t want to see what took place in wars past happen here with seeing Americans come back in body bags. I feel the same way about our friends in Israel. “
“But there are third parties that want to get involved, and I say, give them the green light to do so. So, if there’s any ground troops…they shouldn’t be from America or Israel. It should be from these third parties.” That stance lets him sound tough while limiting American exposure to protracted conflicts.
On domestic policy he emphasizes workforce readiness and school-based vocational training as a signature priority. “Well, for one thing, I support putting vocational training in all of the high schools in America. And it’s a project I want to initiate as a congressman. Too many kids today are staying home with their parents after they graduate high school. They need to have real job skills so they could make money, get out of their parents’ homes, be able to have their own families, and eventually, purchase their own house of their own.”
Healthcare is another clear line in his campaign playbook and a point of partisan contrast. “Also, I don’t like the Affordable Care Act. It was never affordable. It’s been taking hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies, thanks to the Democrats. And I think we need a new health care system that costs the American government less and costs the American taxpayer less and better quality. And I think we could have that without Obamacare.” He argues cost and quality improvements are achievable under a different framework.
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Kaufman acknowledges headwinds for Republicans, including ongoing conflict overseas and economic strains tied to the last administration. “Well, a lot of it has to do with the war overseas, but I believe that that’s going to be short term. I think that’s, that’s going to end soon. Also, with regards to inflation, we’re still dealing with the Biden years where Joe Biden initiated very heavy inflation for our country.”
“And thank you, President Trump, for doing the things that would bring inflation down. So I’m looking forward to low inflation, better affordability and very soon an end to the war, and results overseas that allow us to have peace in the Middle East and more peace in world.” That mix of economics and foreign policy is central to his message to voters worried about pocketbook issues and safety.
Kaufman does not hold back in assigning blame to Democrats and frames 2026 as an opportunity for Republicans to change direction. “Well, the Democrats, they’ve allowed people, an untold amount of people, to cross our borders, some of which have been terrorists and members of terror cells. They’ve hurt the values in the United States. They’ve destroyed our healthcare system with an Affordable Care Act that was never affordable. They’ve done everything possible to destroy our nation, and we need to make that change.” He says that sharp contrast will be the fuel for his next campaign cycle.
