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Aaron Kaufer

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Aaron Kaufer
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 120th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2015[1]
Preceded byPhyllis Mundy
Personal details
Born (1988-07-11) July 11, 1988 (age 36)
Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnnie
Children1
Residence(s)Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationLafayette College (BA)
Widener University Commonwealth Law School (J.D.)
Alma materWyoming Valley West High School
Websitewww.repkaufer.com

Aaron D. Kaufer (born July 11, 1988) is an American politician currently serving as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 120th district since 2015.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Kaufer was born on July 11, 1988, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, the son of Neil and Larinda Kaufer.[2][3] He graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2007 and earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in government and law and international affairs from Lafayette College in 2011.[2][4] In 2020, Kaufer earned a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School.[5]

Political career

[edit]

Kaufer first ran for state representative in 2012 against incumbent Democrat Phyllis Mundy, losing 56% to 43%.[6] In December 2013, Mundy announced that she would be retiring. For the 2014 election, Eileen Cipriani was chosen as the Democratic nominee.[7] Kaufer ran against Cipriani as a reform-minded candidate with bipartisan support,[8] defeating her with 56% of the vote.[9] He was reelected in 2016 with 68% of the vote against Democrat Robert McDonald.[10] Kaufer was reelected for a third term in 2018 unopposed.[11] He again won reelection to a fourth term in 2020, defeating Democrat Joanna Bryn Smith 63% to 37%.[12] Kaufer defeated Democrat Fern Leard in the 2022 election by a similar margin.[13] In 2024, Kaufer announced he would not seek reelection.[14]

For the 2015-2016 legislative session, Kaufer was named the deputy chairman of the State House Majority Policy Committee.[15] In 2023, Kaufer was named the top Republican on the House Government Oversight Committee.[16]

Kaufer was a co-founder of the PA HOPE (Heroin, Opioid, Prevention and Education) Caucus as part of his effort to improve Pennsylvania's drug and alcohol services.[3]

Political positions

[edit]

Kaufer believes in a smaller state government and has focused on pursuing job and economic development initiatives. He also supports efforts to address the opioid epidemic.[17]

Kaufer is known for his commitment on bipartisan cooperation;[3] he often wears an orange tie as a symbol of his bipartisanship.[18] He considers late U.S. Senator John McCain as his political inspiration. Kaufer worked on McCain's 2008 presidential campaign in New Hampshire and admired the senator's bipartisanship.[19] Spotlight PA referred to Kaufer as a "moderate Republican."[20]

2020 presidential election

[edit]

Kaufer and 69 other Pennsylvania legislators signed an amicus brief in the case Texas v. Pennsylvania, which challenged the 2020 United States presidential election results in Pennsylvania and three other states won by President-elect Joe Biden. He defended the brief saying it was only to provide background information on changes made to Pennsylvania's election operations, "It did not seek to take sides in the decision, nor did it seek to overturn the election."[21]

Following the election, Kaufer said his name was erroneously added to a letter signed by Pennsylvania legislators urging Congress to reject Pennsylvania's electoral votes. His name was later removed from the final version of the letter. Kaufer said he agreed with U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr's assessment that no major irregularities occurred to alter the election results.[22] When asked in 2022, Kaufer said he accepted the results of the election.[23]

Abortion

[edit]

According to Kaufer himself, he has never supported an outright ban on abortion and believes in exceptions for rape, incest, health of the mother, and viability of the child.[24] He supports moving the threshold for abortions in Pennsylvania from 24 weeks into a pregnancy to 20 weeks.[25] He was absent from a vote in the State House on a constitutional amendment that stated, "there is no right to abortion or funding for an abortion" in Pennsylvania. Kaufer later said he would have voted against the amendment.[23]

Election reform

[edit]

In 2016, Kaufer voiced support for nonpartisan elections where candidates were not affiliated with political parties and primary election were open to all voters regardless of affiliation.[26]

In 2024, Kaufer signed a discharge petition that would force a vote in the State House on a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would require voter ID.[27] He previously called since-repealed voter ID laws a bad idea during a 2012 forum, but left open the possibility of supporting something similar.[28]

Gambling

[edit]

Kaufer believes that online gambling should not be tied to a credit card. Prior to being elected, Kaufer worked at Mohegan Sun Pocono where he would see customers repeatedly taking out, often large, sums of money on their credit card "just so they could play one more game."[3] In 2016, Kaufer expressed his opposition to online gambling, but supported legalized digital poker.[29]

Israel-Palestine

[edit]

Following Ben & Jerry's 2021 announcement that the company would not longer sell its ice cream in the Israeli occupied West Bank,[30] Kaufer called for the enforcement of 2016 Act 163, which says the state will not associate with businesses that boycott Israel.[31][32]

Kaufer has said the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) is "little more than a poorly hidden anti-Semitic economic attack."[31] He has also labeled the slogan "from the river to the sea" as anti-Semitic.[33]

Following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Kaufer co-sponsored a resolution in the State House that declared the House "stand[s] with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas."[34][35] The resolution passed unanimously.[36]

After three university presidents sidestepped questions about the acceptability of calls for the genocide of Jewish people during a Congressional hearing, Kaufer denounced their answers and promoted a package of bills introduced by other lawmakers that would promote Holocaust education and combat antisemitism on college campuses.[37]

Legislative reform

[edit]

Leading up to the 2014 Pennsylvania state house election, Kaufer campaigned as a supporter of term limits stating he would only serve four terms.[7] In 2022, however, Kaufer ran for a fifth term.[38] When asked why he seemingly abandoned his pledge to only serve four terms, Kaufer said it was conditional on if he could get term limits passed. He also listed his seniority in the State House as a reason to keep his seat.[25] Kaufer previously criticized the legislature's seniority system as "broken" in 2016.[39]

In 2014, Kaufer pledged not to accept a state pension, pay raise, or per diems.[40] He has called for scrapping per diems and automatic pay raises for legislators.[41] In 2012, Kaufer deemed the current salary of $78,000 for members of the legislature too much.[42] He has also supported a ban on gifts to lawmakers and voted to reduce the size of the legislature.[23] In 2017, Kaufer cosponsored legislation that called for a constitution convention to review and possibly reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature.[43]

In 2012, Kaufer slammed Republicans in the state legislature for making more partisan districts in the recent redistricting cycle that stifled competitive elections. He backed efforts to remove the influence of the state legislature in redistricting and instead institute some form of independent redistricting commission.[44] Kaufer opposed a 2021 decision by Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission that changed how state prison inmates were counted with respect to state-level legislative districts. The change meant that state inmates would count towards the districts they lived in prior to incarceration and not where they were currently imprisoned. Kaufer opposed it on the basis it would almost exclusively benefit Democratic representation and hurt Republicans.[45]

LGBTQ issues

[edit]

In 2023, Kaufer and Representative Alec Ryncavage were the only two Republicans in the State House who voted for the passage of an LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill.[46] Kaufer defended his support for the bill by saying it would serve to deter more "radical" measures.[47] Kaufer previously voiced his support for similar legislation in 2016 and stated, "Gay rights are human rights" at a candidate's forum that year.[48][29] His brother is a member of the LGBTQ community.[29]

Marijuana

[edit]

Kaufer believes that decriminalizing marijuana would aid law enforcement in prioritizing the seizure of opioids and fentanyl, something he describes as "larger priorities."[49] He also thinks that prohibition of marijuana is not an effective policy and supported the legalization of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.[49][50] In 2023, Kaufer co-sponsored legislation to permit medical marijuana users the ability to legally drive in Pennsylvania.[51] The following year, Kaufer and Representative Emily Kinkead co-sponsored legislation that would legalize recreation marijuana and institute a regulatory system they said would eliminate the illicit marijuana trade.[52]

Taxation

[edit]

Kaufer supports the elimination of property taxes.[3] In 2016, Kaufer voiced support for a proposal to eliminate property tax and instead raise sales and income taxes to account for the lost revenue.[26] During his first term as a state representative, Kaufer supported a homestead exemption so that property tax would be eliminated on a person's primary residence.[3]

In 2023, Kaufer was among a group of Republicans who signed onto several bills meant to give tax breaks to families in areas such as child care, school supplies, and home improvement.[53]

Welfare reform

[edit]

Kaufer believes in reforming what he describes as Pennsylvania's "bloated welfare system" and opposes the state supporting what he calls "welfare lifestyles."[17][54] The first piece of legislation Kaufer proposed in the State House was a law that barred individuals in Pennsylvania from accepting welfare from multiple states.[55][56]

Personal life

[edit]

Kaufer is Jewish.[17] He is married to his wife Annie; they have one daughter.[57] He resides in Kingston, Pennsylvania.[58]

In 2019, Kaufer visited Poland, where he viewed the graves of relatives who were victims of the Holocaust.[59]

Electoral history

[edit]
2012 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Phyllis Mundy (incumbent) 14,133 56.05
Republican Aaron Kaufer 11,050 43.82
Write-in 31 0.12
Total votes 25,214 100.00
2014 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Kaufer 9,514 55.92
Democratic Eileen Cipriani 7,472 43.92
Write-in 28 0.16
Total votes 17,014 100.00
2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Kaufer (incumbent) 18,843 67.80
Democratic Robert J. McDonald 8,929 32.13
Write-in 20 0.07
Total votes 27,792 100.00
2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Kaufer (incumbent) 16,677 96.04
Write-in 688 3.96
Total votes 17,365 100.00
2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[62]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Kaufer (incumbent) 20,397 63.10
Democratic Joanna Bryn Smith 11,913 36.85
Scattered 16 0.05
Total votes 32,326 100.00
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic primary election, District 120[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Write-In Fern Leard 590 46.06
Write-In Aaron Kaufer 418 32.63
Other write-in candidates 273 21.31
Total votes 1,281 100.00
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 120[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Kaufer (incumbent) 17,548 65.97
Democratic Fern Leard 9,014 33.89
SCATTER 38 0.14
Total votes 26,600 100.00

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SESSION OF 2015 - 199TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 2015-01-06.
  2. ^ a b c "AARON KAUFER". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Aaron Kaufer seeks second term representing 120th District". Times Leader. November 4, 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  4. ^ admin (January 16, 2012). "ABOUT AARON". Kaufer Now. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  5. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (January 11, 2024). "Republicans looking to run for Kaufer's House seat". The Citizens' Voice.
  6. ^ a b "2012-General-ElectionResults-PDF" (PDF). Luzerne County, PA Official Website. November 6, 2012. p. 3. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b Buffer, Michael P. (November 4, 2016). "120th: Kaufer defeats Cipriani". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  8. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (June 18, 2020). "Republican wave lifted Kaufer to 120th victory". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  9. ^ a b "11/04/14 General Election". Luzerne County, PA Official Website. November 24, 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Pennsylvania 120th District State House Results: Aaron Kaufer Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  11. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah; Andre, Mike; Andrews, Wilson; Bloch, Matthew; Bowers, Jeremy; Buchanan, Larry; Cohn, Nate; Coote, Alastair; Daniel, Annie; Fehr, Tiff; Jacoby, Samuel; Katz, Josh; Keller, Josh; Krolik, Aaron; Lee, Jasmine C.; Lieberman, Rebecca; Migliozzi, Blacki; Murray, Paul; Quealy, Kevin; Patel, Jaymin; Pearce, Adam; Shorey, Rachel; Strickland, Michael; Taylor, Rumsey; White, Isaac; Whitely, Maxine; Williams, Josh (May 15, 2019). "Pennsylvania Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Pennsylvania Election Results". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  13. ^ Guydish, Mark (November 8, 2022). "Kaufer-Leard vie for 120th; Kaufer leading". Times Leader. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  14. ^ Kalinowski, Bob (January 17, 2024). "Kaufer won't seek another term". The Citizens' Voice. pp. A1, A5.
  15. ^ Mark, Eric (April 17, 2020). "Kaufer named deputy chairman of House committee". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  16. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (January 26, 2023). "Kaufer named Republican chair of House Government Oversight Committee". Times Leader. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b c "About Aaron Kaufer". PA State Rep Aaron Kaufer. PA House Republican Caucus. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  18. ^ Gibbons, Geri (April 20, 2016). "Aaron Kaufer touts issues not party politics at Global Landscapes Conference". Times Leader. Times Leader. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  19. ^ Mark, Eric (June 18, 2020). "Kaufer recalls McCain as hero and role model". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  20. ^ Caruso, Stephen (February 28, 2024). "Pa. election 2024: The state House races to watch as Democrats try to keep the majority". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  21. ^ Mark, Eric (November 12, 2022). "Local GOP state reps explain why they signed brief in election case". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  22. ^ Mark, Eric (November 12, 2022). "Kaufer says his name was mistakenly added to letter about Electoral College vote". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Kalinowski, Bob (November 8, 2022). "Rep. Kaufer, newcomer Leard square off in 120th House District". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Where Pa. law stands on abortion". Times Leader. June 26, 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  25. ^ a b Kalinowski, Bob (November 8, 2022). "Kaufer, Leard debate in race for 120th state House seat". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  26. ^ a b Buffer, Michael P. (October 26, 2014). "120th: Cipriani, Kaufer support drilling tax". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Capitol digest: State senate approves stricter penalties for threats against schools". The Citizens' Voice. April 14, 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  28. ^ Wellock, Bill (October 23, 2012). "Mundy, challenger debate property, severance taxes". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Buffer, Michael P. (October 28, 2016). "Kaufer, McDonald exchange ideas on bipartisanship, online gambling at forum". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  30. ^ O'Boyle, William (July 22, 2021). "Kaufer calls Ben & Jerry's action in Israel anti-Semitic, calls for Pa. action". Yahoo! Life. The Times Leader. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Kaufer Calls on Wolf, Shapiro, Garrity to Enforce Procurement Law Following Ben & Jerry's Israel Announcement". PA State Rep Aaron Kaufer. PA House Republican Caucus. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  32. ^ "2016 Act 163". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  33. ^ Graham, Michael (July 21, 2021). "Bartos Talks Senate Race, Update on Ben & Jerry's Boycott". Delaware Valley Journal (Podcast). InsideSources. Event occurs at 2:15-2:46. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  34. ^ Frankel, Dan; Kaufer, Aaron (October 13, 2023). "A Resolution Condemning the Terrorist Attack on Israel and Expressing Support for Israel and Its People | House Co-Sponsorship Memorandum; Session of 2023-2024 Regular Session". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  35. ^ "A Resolution Urging the Congress of the United States to provide the State of Israel with the support necessary to ensure its safety and security and condemning the terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas" (PDF). Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  36. ^ "House Resolution 245 Bill Information - History; Regular Session 2023-2024". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  37. ^ Mark, Eric (December 11, 2023). "Kaufer, other state reps introduce bill package to combat antisemitism in education". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  38. ^ Carroll, Kevin (May 17, 2022). "Ryncavage claims victory in 119th; Williams waiting for mail-ins". Times Leader. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  39. ^ Buffer, Michael (October 30, 2014). "Two candidates for 120th state House District face off at forum". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  40. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (February 18, 2014). "Republican Kaufer enters 120th district race". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  41. ^ Kaufer, Aaron (April 3, 2012). "Legislators have too many taxpayer-paid perks". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Two Republicans challenge incumbents for state House seats". The Citizens' Voice. January 19, 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  43. ^ Mark, Eric (November 1, 2017). "State lawmakers propose constitutional convention". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  44. ^ Kaufer, Aaron (February 9, 2012). "Partisan politics play too big a role in reapportionment". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  45. ^ Mark, Eric (January 17, 2023). "New state redistricting policy could impact Jackson Twp. and the county". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  46. ^ Hall, Peter (May 2, 2023). "Fairness Act protections for LGBTQ people clears Pa. House with bipartisan support". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  47. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (May 6, 2023). "Kaufer, Ryncavage stand by LGBTQ bill vote". Times Leader. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  48. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (June 18, 2020). "Kaufer easily clinches 2nd term". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  49. ^ a b O'Boyle, Bill (September 24, 2023). "Area legislators comment on potential legalization of recreational marijuana". Times Leader. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  50. ^ Mark, Eric (April 13, 2016). "Bill finds support among local specialists, lawmaker". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  51. ^ Rabb, Christopher M.; Kaufer, Aaron D. (May 3, 2023). "Removing DUI penalties for legal medical cannabis use". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  52. ^ Ulrich, Steve (June 17, 2024). "Bipartisan Bill Hopes to Legalize Cannabis in PA". PoliticsPA. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  53. ^ Stockburger, George (March 1, 2023). "Pennsylvania House Republicans unveil package of tax relief bills". abc27 WHTM. Nexstar Media, Inc. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  54. ^ Wellock, Bill (June 18, 2020). "Newcomer Kaufer, Mundy fight for seat". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  55. ^ Allabaugh, Denise (June 9, 2015). "Kaufer introduces public assistance bill". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  56. ^ Kalinowski, Bob (December 28, 2015). "Kaufer bill targeting welfare abuse becomes law". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  57. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (November 7, 2022). "Election Day 2022 is finally here — get out and vote". Times Leader. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Representative Aaron D. Kaufer". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  59. ^ Strub, Chelsea (October 12, 2020). "UPDATE: No charges being filed against person who wrote hateful messages to State Rep". WNEP-TV. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  60. ^ 2016 General election, Luzerne County, PA
  61. ^ 2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 120th District election
  62. ^ 2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 120th District election
  63. ^ 2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 120th District Democratic primary election
  64. ^ "REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 120TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT". Luzerne County, PA General Election November 8, 2022. scytl.us. December 1, 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
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