[1] Outside politics, Kaufmann is a seventh generation livestock farmer, as well as a professor of history and government at Muscatine Community College, where he has taught courses since 1990.

[1][2] Kaufmann won his first election to the Iowa House of Representatives by just over 1,000 votes, and was re-elected three times.

As a member of the House leadership team, Kaufmann played a key role in recruiting, fundraising, and campaigning for Republican candidate.

[6] During his tenure, the party enjoyed major successes on the local, state, and federal levels.

Together, they have three sons and one grandson: Bobby (now a state representative),[8][9] Jacob (a middle school science teacher, coach, and father to Oliver), and John (the former chairman of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans).