Ted Kaufman

Ted Kaufman is an American politician, attorney, and former U.S. Senator from Delaware who served from 2009 to 2010. A longtime aide and trusted advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden, he was appointed to the Senate following Biden's resignation to assume the vice presidency. During his brief tenure, Kaufman was a vocal advocate for financial reform, corporate accountability, and judicial nominations, later becoming a prominent voice on government ethics and electoral integrity.

Early life and education

Edward "Ted" Kaufman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the surrounding area. He pursued his undergraduate education at Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Following his graduation, Kaufman served for two years as an officer in the United States Army, fulfilling his military service obligation. He then returned to academia, attending the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Master of Business Administration.

Career before the Senate

Kaufman's professional career began in the private sector, working for the DuPont Company and later for the Wilmington-based firm ICI Americas Inc.. His entry into public service was through a long-standing association with Joe Biden, beginning in 1973 when he joined Biden's first Senate staff. Over the following decades, Kaufman held various senior staff positions, including Chief of Staff for then-Senator Biden. He played a key role in Biden's legislative efforts, particularly concerning the Senate Judiciary Committee and foreign policy matters. Kaufman also taught as an adjunct professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.

United States Senate

On January 15, 2009, Governor Ruth Ann Minner of Delaware appointed Kaufman to the U.S. Senate, filling the vacancy created when his predecessor resigned to become Vice President. He was sworn into office by Vice President Dick Cheney. True to a pre-arranged agreement, Kaufman did not seek election to a full term. During his tenure, he served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He was a forceful proponent of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and advocated for stricter enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Kaufman also chaired a hearing on the financial crisis where he famously questioned the Federal Reserve about the oversight of major banks like Goldman Sachs.

Post-Senate career and advocacy

After leaving the Senate in November 2010, Kaufman was appointed by President Barack Obama to co-chair the Department of Justice's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. He later served as the inaugural chair of the Congressional Oversight Commission, established to oversee the Treasury Department's implementation of the CARES Act. A consistent advocate for government reform, he has been a leading figure in efforts to restore the Office of Technology Assessment and has written extensively on the need to strengthen congressional capacity. He co-founded the Electoral Count Reform Act working group and has been a prominent commentator on CNN and other networks regarding democratic institutions and ethics.

Personal life

Kaufman is married to Lynne Kaufman, and they have three daughters. He has maintained strong ties to Delaware, where he has lived for decades, and remains active in the civic life of Wilmington. An avid runner, he has completed multiple marathons. Kaufman is also a member of the board of visitors for the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and continues to engage with students and policy debates. Category:1940 births Category:Living people Category:United States senators from Delaware Category:Duke University alumni Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni