International security figures back Joe Kaufman's congressional bid

Joe Kaufman, the Republican candidate in Florida's 25th Congressional District, is highlighting endorsements from Israeli, Latin American and other international security figures as he campaigns on national security and foreign policy. The backing underscores Kaufman's decades of counterterrorism and anti-Iran work as he seeks to turn that experience into a message for voters.

Why it matters: - Kaufman is trying to make national security and foreign policy a defining issue in Florida's 25th Congressional District. - The endorsements give Kaufman a coalition of international security and democracy figures that he can use to argue he has unusual real-world experience for Congress. - The campaign says the race comes as the U.S. faces threats from Iran, China, Russia, international terrorism and transnational criminal organizations.

What happened: - Joe Kaufman, the Republican candidate for Florida's 25th Congressional District, drew endorsements from military leaders, intelligence officials, former political prisoners and democracy advocates from Israel, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba and Mexico. - The campaign said Kaufman has nearly three decades of experience in national security, counterterrorism and international affairs. - Kaufman said he has worked for more than 20 years with the Iranian democratic opposition and co-founded Cyrus Force with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. - Kaufman said he helped strengthen ties between the Iranian opposition and the Israeli government and took part in recent events involving Iran, including the Twelve-Day War. - Kaufman also said he led the effort to stop a pro-Hamas conference planned for South Florida.

The details: - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called Kaufman committed to ending oppression in Iran and praised his passion, integrity and knowledge. - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser, former head of research for the Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence Directorate and former director general of Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, endorsed Kaufman. - Kuperwasser said Kaufman has deep understanding of terrorism, intelligence and regional security. - Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a former Israeli intelligence officer and Middle East scholar, also endorsed Kaufman. - Kedar said Kaufman has shown dedication to confronting the Iranian regime, Islamic extremism and international terrorism. - Cecilia Chacón, leader of Fuerza Popular in Peru's Chamber of Deputies, endorsed Kaufman as well. - Chacón said Peruvians know terrorism must be confronted with courage and determination. - The campaign listed additional supporters as Iván Simonovis, Antonio Ledezma, Dr. Luis Suárez Hernández, Jacques Rodrich and Simón Levy.

Between the lines: - Kaufman is positioning himself as a candidate with a rare foreign-policy resume rather than a traditional local-profile platform. - The list of backers comes from people associated with anti-authoritarian politics and counterterrorism, which fits the campaign's emphasis on strength against Iran and extremist groups. - The endorsements also suggest Kaufman is trying to appeal to voters who prioritize Israel ties, anti-terror policy and opposition to authoritarian regimes.

What's next: - Kaufman will likely keep tying his campaign to security credentials, support for democratic movements abroad and opposition to terrorism. - The campaign says Kaufman is running on national security, economic prosperity, lower living costs and constitutional freedoms. - Voters in Florida's 25th Congressional District will decide whether that message translates into support at the ballot box.

The bottom line: - Kaufman is betting that international security endorsements and decades of counterterrorism work will set him apart in a congressional race increasingly framed around global threats.