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Brook Kaufman

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Brook Kaufman
Image of Brook Kaufman

Republican Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Wichita State, 1999

Graduate

University of Wyoming, 2007

Personal
Birthplace
Waterloo, Iowa
Religion
Christian
Profession
Nonprofit executive director
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Brook Kaufman (Republican Party) ran for election to the South Dakota House of Representatives to represent District 32. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Kaufman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Brook Kaufman was born in Waterloo, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree from Wichita State in 1999 and a graduate degree from the University of Wyoming in 2007. Her career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive director.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32 (2 seats)

Nicole Uhre-Balk and incumbent Steve Duffy defeated Brook Kaufman in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nicole Uhre-Balk
Nicole Uhre-Balk (D) Candidate Connection
 
35.0
 
4,133
✔
Image of Steve Duffy
Steve Duffy (R)
 
34.9
 
4,111
Image of Brook Kaufman
Brook Kaufman (R) Candidate Connection
 
30.1
 
3,548

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 11,792
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Nicole Uhre-Balk advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32 (2 seats)

Incumbent Steve Duffy and Brook Kaufman defeated John Robert James in the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steve Duffy
Steve Duffy
 
40.2
 
870
✔
Image of Brook Kaufman
Brook Kaufman Candidate Connection
 
32.3
 
699
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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John Robert James
 
27.5
 
596

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,165
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kaufman in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Brook Kaufman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kaufman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Having an approachable and accessible government is critical to democracy. I believe the process of government should be easy to navigate and that your voice should be heard on issues important to you. I will always make myself available to you, representing your interests in Pierre and ensuring your concerns are acknowledged and addressed.
  • Back to Basics Government: The government’s job is to provide services citizens cannot provide for themselves. That includes things like infrastructure, clean water, and maintaining a robust criminal and judicial system. We must strike a balance between the government's role in providing essential services and safeguarding individual rights. I am committed to a back-to-basics approach in government, ensuring it stays small while serving residents efficiently.
  • Veteran Services: My dad was in the Vietnam War, and, as he ages, I see firsthand how important it is we have robust services for those who served our nation and protected our freedom. I’ll fight hard to make sure veterans have the: health care, benefits, housing, jobs and education they deserve.
  • Strong Economic Policies: In South Dakota, we believe in individual liberty and free market principles to drive economic development and prosperity. Our state has a long-standing tradition of hard work, personal responsibility, and entrepreneurship, and I am committed to ensuring that these values continue to guide our economic policies.
Economic development, tourism
My grandparents. They were unwavering in their love of God, America, family, Midwest Values and the idea that we have the ability and opportunity to make a way for ourselves.
We long for: lower taxes, a balanced budget, economic development, improved infrastructure and personal freedom WITHOUT sacrificing what makes South Dakota and the West River so special. Yet, to be agents of change while taking care of our community, we need less rhetoric slowing us down and more of a commitment from all levels of government. In my opinion, the principles that are most important are honest, integrity and a heart to do what's right over what's popular.
Empathy. A good listener. Solution-oriented. Collaborator. Tireless in pushing a project or initiative to the finish line.
Listen. Collaborate. Focus on solving problems. Represent the viewpoints and desires of my constituents. Be accessible and approachable. Be 100% present and on every vote.
I want to be remembered for doing what I could to make sure there are opportunities for future generations.
The explosion of the Challenger space shuttle. I was 10.
Detasseling corn! I had that job for 3 weeks the summer I was 14. Brutal!
In South Dakota, the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be collaborative, respectful, and constructive, while maintaining the necessary checks and balances. Here are some key components of such an ideal relationship: Collaboration and communication, mutual respect and separation of powers, budgetary partnership, public accountability and transparency, and coalition building.
The government’s job is to provide services citizens cannot provide for themselves. That includes things like infrastructure, clean water, and maintaining a robust criminal and judicial system. We must strike a balance between the government's role in providing essential services and safeguarding individual rights. I believe one of our greatest challenges will be our ability to fund basic resident services.
I believe what is more important are strong principles and a desire to serve.
Yes. It takes a majority to pass a bill. It's critical we find ways to work together on issues and challenges important to South Dakota.
-
Not sure.
I have been surprised at how many residents are struggling with how to navigate veteran services. Whether through a death or disability, many are frustrated by how difficult it is to connect with the right person to receive benefits.
The oversight of emergency powers involves balancing the need for swift, decisive action during crises with the protection of democratic principles and checks and balances. In South Dakota, the ideal approach is a balance between empowering the governor to act quickly in emergencies while ensuring the legislature has a role in overseeing and granting such powers to prevent abuse or overreach.
-
Local government and taxation.
As a fiscal conservative, I know the importance of maintaining a balanced budget and controlling government spending. I believe in living within our means and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. By doing so, we can keep taxes low, allowing individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money to spend how they decide.
I would support thoughtful reforms to the ballot initiative process, particularly measures aimed at preventing outside influence, raising the bar for constitutional amendments, and ensuring voters are well-informed. That said, I believe it’s crucial to protect the ability of South Dakotans to directly shape state law through the initiative process.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Brook Kaufman campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* South Dakota House of Representatives District 32Lost general$55,950 $0
Grand total$55,950 $0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

Candidate

South Dakota House of Representatives District 32
  • Website
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    Personal

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    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 17, 2024


    Current members of the South Dakota House of Representatives
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