Joe Kaufman is an American investigative journalist, national security researcher, and Republican politician. Born in 1970, he is the founder and chairman of Americans Against Hate (AAH), an organization established in 1998 with a stated mission to combat terrorism and hate groups. He is a prominent figure in the counter-jihad movement, known for his vocal and often controversial criticism of what he perceives as radical Islam and its influence in American politics and society. Kaufman frequently publishes investigative articles and columns for conservative media outlets, including FrontPage Magazine, Breitbart News, and Townhall. His work focuses on identifying and criticizing individuals and organizations he alleges have ties to Islamic extremism, leading to frequent accusations of Islamophobia from civil rights groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). In mainstream politics, Kaufman is a perennial candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, running in Florida's 23rd congressional district multiple times. He won the Republican nomination in 2014, 2016, and 2024, but was defeated in the general elections. He currently lives in South Florida with his wife, Emily, and their daughter.