District: F (Anchorage)
Senator James Kaufman spent two years in the Alaska House of Representatives before joining the State Senate in 2021. The retired project manager represents District F, or the Anchorage neighborhoods of Abbott Loop, Independence Park, Huffman / O’Malley, the Lower Hillside, and Prospect Heights.
His background in the oil and gas industry includes leading teams focused on quality and efficiency. A member of the Senate Finance Committee, he authored bills to adopt a state spending cap and direct state agencies to create and carry out strategic plans.
Senator Kaufman first ran for office after seeing the need for more common sense in state government. His career in quality management on large and complex oil and gas projects taught him a range of skills that directly apply to his role in the State Senate. These skills include the ability to analyze complex and expensive organizations and projects, determine the root causes of failure, find efficient solutions, identify opportunities for improvement, and successfully manage the necessary changes to avoid unintended consequences.
Before joining the Alaska Legislature, Senator Kaufman was active in South Anchorage Community Councils, the Anchorage HALO organization, and served as the Hillside Lead for the Coalition of Community Patrols. He helped organize events to address the ongoing threat of wildfires on the Hillside and other realities of living in Alaska, including earthquakes, blizzards, volcanic eruptions, and pandemics. In each of these roles, Senator Kaufman’s focus was how to improve community safety, security and resiliency. He works to use his range of skills to guide the state of Alaska toward a more fiscally-sound and sustainable future.
Party: Republican
Contact Info
Email: Sen.James.Kaufman@akleg.gov
Session Contact
907-465-4949
State Capitol Room 510
Juneau AK, 99801
Interim Contact
907-268-0244
1500 W Benson Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership
- Member: (S) FINANCE
- Member: SENATE ADMINISTRATION (Finance Subcommittee)
- Member: CORRECTIONS (Finance Subcommittee)
- Member: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (Finance Subcommittee)
- Member: HEALTH (Finance Subcommittee)
- Member: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA (Finance Subcommittee)
State Legislative Appointments
National Legislative Appointments
Staff
Emma Torkelson
Chief of Staff
Emma.Torkelson@akleg.gov
907-465-1059
Dominick Harnett
Finance Aide
Dominick.Harnett@akleg.gov
907-465-1059
Takuma Inoue
Office Manager
Takuma.Inoue@akleg.gov
907-465-4949