Ted Kaufman Bio
Edward Emmett “Ted” Kaufman, born on March 15, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a retired American politician, advisor, and businessman. A member of the Democratic Party, Kaufman is best known for serving as a United States senator from Delaware from 2009 to 2010, a position he held after being appointed to fill the remainder of Joe Biden’s Senate term when Biden became vice president.
Before his time in the Senate, Kaufman spent more than three decades as a top advisor to Biden, working on Senate campaigns, serving as chief of staff, and later leading Biden’s presidential transition team in 2020. Throughout his career, Kaufman has been recognized for his work in financial oversight, consumer protection, STEM education, and foreign policy.
Early Life and Background
Edward Emmett Kaufman was born in Philadelphia to Manuel Kaufman, a social worker, and Helen Kaufman (née Carroll), a teacher. His father was of Russian Jewish ancestry, while his mother was a Catholic of Irish descent. Kaufman was raised in his mother’s Catholic faith.
He attended Central High School in Philadelphia, graduating before pursuing higher education. Kaufman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His strong educational foundation in both engineering and business shaped the analytical approach he would later bring to public policy.
In 1966, Kaufman moved to Delaware to begin his professional career as an engineer at DuPont. This move marked the beginning of his long association with the state that would eventually become his political home.
Path to US Politics
Kaufman’s entry into politics came in 1972, when he volunteered for Joe Biden’s U.S. Senate campaign in Delaware, a race widely considered a long shot at the time. After Biden’s surprise victory, Kaufman took a one-year leave of absence from DuPont to organize and lead the new senator’s Delaware office.
By 1976, Kaufman had become Biden’s chief of staff and administrative assistant, a role he held until 1995. During those years, he also worked on Biden’s subsequent Senate reelection campaigns, becoming one of the senator’s most trusted advisors. His reputation as a capable, behind-the-scenes strategist earned him the description of being Biden’s “best friend” and alter ego.
In addition to his work for Biden, Kaufman served on the Broadcasting Board of Governors from 1995 to 2008, having been appointed by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate for four terms. He also taught courses on the U.S. Congress at Duke University Law School beginning in 1991, deepening his influence in both policy and education.
Ted Kaufman Career
Early Career (1972–1995)
Kaufman’s political career began in earnest in 1972 when he joined Biden’s Senate campaign as a volunteer. Following Biden’s unexpected win, Kaufman transitioned from his engineering work at DuPont to public service, organizing the senator’s Delaware office and later becoming chief of staff.
For nearly two decades, Kaufman managed the day-to-day operations of Biden’s Senate office while also contributing to campaign strategy. His behind-the-scenes work helped establish Biden as a national political figure, and Kaufman’s reputation for discretion and loyalty grew alongside his policy expertise.
Senate Appointment and Tenure (2009–2010)
After Biden was elected vice president in November 2008, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced her intention to appoint Kaufman to the vacant Senate seat. He was officially appointed on January 15, 2009, the same day Biden resigned, and was sworn in the next day. Kaufman inherited Biden’s committee assignments on the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary.
During his brief Senate tenure, Kaufman supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which directed more than $800 million in federal funding to Delaware. He participated in the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, voting to send both nominations to the full Senate.
Kaufman introduced the bipartisan Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 alongside Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Grassley, which was signed into law by President Obama. He also championed efforts to curb abusive short selling and worked to reinstate the “uptick rule” to stabilize financial markets.
Congressional Oversight Panel (2010–2011)
On October 1, 2010, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appointed Kaufman to replace Elizabeth Warren on the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Three days later, Kaufman was unanimously elected as the panel’s second chairman, succeeding Warren in that role as well. He continued to lead the panel even after his Senate term ended.
Kaufman also co-sponsored the Brown–Kaufman amendment with Senator Sherrod Brown, which sought to limit the size of the largest U.S. banks. Although the amendment failed in a 61–33 Senate vote on May 6, 2010, it sparked an important national debate over financial reform and the future of the Glass–Steagall framework.
Post-Senate Career (2011–Present)
After leaving the Senate in November 2010, Kaufman continued his work in education and public policy. He has maintained his teaching role at Duke University Law School, where he has led courses on the U.S. Congress and on government, business, and public policy since 1991. He also co-chaired the Duke Law School Center for the Study of the Congress from 1995 to 1999.
Kaufman joined the board of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in September 2014. He also serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Institute of International Education and as co-chair of the Delaware STEM Council, continuing his long-standing commitment to science and education policy.
Following Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, Kaufman was chosen to lead the Biden-Harris Transition Team, overseeing the transfer of presidential power.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Kaufman’s signature achievements was his leadership of the Congressional Oversight Panel during a critical period for U.S. financial stability. His bipartisan work on the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 and his advocacy for tougher limits on bank size helped shape the national conversation around consumer protection. In January 2025, President Joe Biden honored Kaufman with the Presidential Citizens Medal in recognition of his lifetime of public service.
Ted Kaufman Career Wins
Although Kaufman served in the U.S. Senate for less than two years, he established a record of bipartisan accomplishment. His legislative work focused on financial oversight, judicial support, and international engagement, earning him recognition from both Democratic and Republican colleagues.
Senate and Oversight Highlights
Kaufman was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2009 and served until November 2010. He secured passage of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, contributed to the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices, and chaired the Congressional Oversight Panel until 2011. His Senate work on STEM education led to the introduction of the STEM Education Coordination Act and the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act.
Other Wins and Achievements
In 2010, Kaufman received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers President’s Award for his work promoting STEM education. In January 2025, he was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Biden. He has also been honored for his decades of service on the Broadcasting Board of Governors and his contributions to international education and civic organizations.
Ted Kaufman Family
Family Background and Public Service Lineage
Kaufman was born into a family with strong roots in public service and education. His father, Manuel Kaufman, worked as a social worker, and his mother, Helen Kaufman (née Carroll), was a teacher. The values of community engagement and learning that shaped his upbringing continued to influence his career in public policy.
Personal Life
Ted Kaufman married Lynne Kaufman in 1960, and the couple has remained together since. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren. The family resides in Wilmington, Delaware. Kaufman has served on the boards of several civic organizations, including Children and Families First, WHYY, and Christiana Care, reflecting his ongoing commitment to community life in Delaware.