Jeff Kaufmann

Jeff A. Kaufmann (born 9 January 1963) is the former Iowa State Representative from the 79th District. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2004 and retired in 2013. He was the assistant minority leader and Speaker Pro Tem.
Kaufmann is now the Chair of the Republican Party of Iowa, since 2014, when he was elected after the State Central Committee ousted the previous Chair, Danny Carroll. During Kaufmann's tenure as chair, in the 2016 elections, the GOP took control of the State Senate, giving Iowa a Republican trifecta for the first time since 1996.
Kaufmann served on several committees in the Iowa House - the Administration and Rules committee; the Education committee; the State Government committee; the Ways and Means committee; and the Local Government committee, where he was the ranking member. His political experience includes serving as a trustee for Sugar Creek Township and currently serves as a Cedar County Supervisor. During Iowa's legislative session, Kaufmann wrote an op-ed column, "Your Capitol Voice," which appeared in several area newspapers.
Kaufmann won the seat formerly held by the retiring Dan Boddicker in 2004, winning his first contest with Democrat Mike Owen of West Branch by over 1,000 votes. He won three subsequent elections Kaufmann was re-elected in 2006 with 6,311 votes (62%), defeating Democratic opponent Clara Oleson. In 2008, Kaufmann collected 9,456 votes, easily maintaining his seat. Democrat Rebecca Spears dropped out of the race before election day.
Today, Kaufmann remains an advisor and friend to House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Governor Terry Branstad. Remaining active in Republican party politics, as well as federal, state, and local politics. He also continues to serve as Social Science Chair at Muscatine Community College. He received his PhD from the University of Iowa in 2000.

Kauffman obtained his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Iowa.

Outside politics, Kaufman is a professor and has taught courses in history and government at Muscatine Community College since 1997.

Kauffman has won a number of awards which include:

• Chancellor’s Award from the Eastern Iowa Community College District (1996)
• Muscatine County Outstanding Teacher Award (2005)

Kaufmann is a member of the following organizations:

• Farm Bureau
• Pheasants Forever
• Friends of the American Legion
• National Heritage Association

Kaufmann is married to his wife Vicki and together they have three sons, Bobby Kaufmann (now a state representative), Jacob and John.