David Kustoff

David Kustoff
Born	David Frank Kustoff 8 10, 1966
Birthplace	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 8th congressional district
Education	University of Memphis (BA, JD)
Spouse(s)	Roberta Kustoff
Children	2
Website	[Official congressional website Official site]

David Frank Kustoff (born October 8, 1966) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the United States representative from Tennessee's 8th congressional district since January 3, 2017. The district encompasses the bulk of West Tennessee, with much of its population concentrated in the eastern portion of the Memphis metropolitan area, including the eastern fourth of Memphis itself. Before entering Congress, Kustoff served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from 2006 to 2008, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. A member of the Republican Party, Kustoff is one of a small number of Jewish Republicans serving in Congress. He has focused his congressional tenure on issues including tax reform, financial services, and public safety legislation in West Tennessee. In November 2025, Kustoff announced his campaign for re-election to the U.S. Congress.

Early Life

David Frank Kustoff was born on October 8, 1966, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the Memphis area and has maintained deep ties to the region throughout his career. Kustoff is Jewish, a fact that has been noted in the context of his membership in a small cohort of Jewish Republicans in the United States Congress.

Kustoff's early life in Memphis shaped his later career in law and politics, as he developed connections within the city's legal and civic communities. Memphis, one of Tennessee's largest cities and a major cultural and economic center in the Mid-South, provided the backdrop for Kustoff's formative years and subsequent professional development. His upbringing in West Tennessee would later inform his political focus on the region, which he would go on to represent in Congress.

Education

Kustoff attended the University of Memphis, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Juris Doctor degree. By obtaining both his undergraduate and law degrees from the same institution, Kustoff maintained his connection to the Memphis community throughout his education. The University of Memphis, a public research university, is one of the largest universities in Tennessee and has produced numerous graduates who have gone on to careers in law, public service, and government.

Career

Early Legal and Political Career

After completing his legal education at the University of Memphis, Kustoff entered the practice of law in the Memphis area. He built a career as an attorney, developing expertise in legal matters relevant to the western Tennessee region. Kustoff and his wife, Roberta Kustoff, who is also an attorney, have been noted for their joint professional involvement in the Memphis legal community.

In addition to his private legal practice, Kustoff became involved in Republican politics in Tennessee. He built relationships within the state's political establishment and served in various capacities within the Republican Party apparatus before his appointment as a federal prosecutor.

Kustoff also had connections to the banking and financial services community in Tennessee. He was associated with BankTennessee, further expanding his professional network in the state's business community.

United States Attorney

On March 16, 2006, Kustoff began serving as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. In this role, Kustoff served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the western third of Tennessee, which includes Memphis and its surrounding areas.

As U.S. Attorney, Kustoff was responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the United States government in civil litigation within his jurisdiction. The Memphis Daily News profiled Kustoff in 2006, noting his leadership skills as he assumed the role of lead federal prosecutor for West Tennessee.

During his tenure, Kustoff oversaw various federal cases in the district. His work as U.S. Attorney included engagement with crime-related issues in the Memphis area, as documented in a 2007 interview with local television station WMC Action News 5. A USA Today report from August 2007 referenced activities related to the Western District of Tennessee during Kustoff's tenure as U.S. Attorney.

Kustoff served in the position until May 16, 2008. He was succeeded by Edward L. Stanton III as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

2016 Congressional Campaign

Following the announcement by incumbent Republican Representative Stephen Fincher that he would not seek re-election to Tennessee's 8th congressional district, Kustoff entered the race for the open seat. The 8th district, which covers much of West Tennessee, had been a reliably Republican seat, and the primary election drew a crowded field of candidates.

During the Republican primary, Kustoff received notable endorsements that bolstered his campaign. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee campaigned on Kustoff's behalf in the district, adding what The Commercial Appeal described as "celebrity power" to Kustoff's bid in the competitive primary race. The endorsement helped raise Kustoff's profile among Republican primary voters in the district.

Kustoff also received the endorsement of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, a significant show of support from the state's chief executive. Kustoff launched a general election kick-off tour across Tennessee's 8th district in August 2016 following his primary victory.

In the November 2016 general election, Kustoff won the seat to represent Tennessee's 8th congressional district, succeeding Stephen Fincher. He was profiled in CQ Roll Call's New Member Guide for the 115th Congress.

Congressional Tenure

Kustoff took office on January 3, 2017, as the representative for Tennessee's 8th congressional district. He has since been re-elected multiple times and has established himself as a member of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives. Kustoff is a member of the Republican Study Committee.

House Financial Services Committee

Kustoff serves as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, a significant committee assignment that aligns with his background in law and his connections to the banking and financial services industry in Tennessee. Through this committee, Kustoff has been involved in deliberations on financial regulation, housing policy, and related economic matters.

In his capacity on the committee, Kustoff visited the corporate headquarters of MAA, a real estate investment trust, in Germantown, Tennessee, in early 2026. The visit was part of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' (Nareit) community engagement program, which connects lawmakers with REIT companies operating in their districts.

Tax Reform

Tax policy has been a significant area of focus for Kustoff during his congressional tenure. In November 2025, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce hosted Kustoff for a roundtable discussion on tax reform in Jackson, Tennessee. The event brought together local business leaders and stakeholders to discuss federal tax policy and its impact on businesses in West Tennessee.

Public Safety Legislation

Kustoff has been involved in bipartisan legislative efforts related to public safety. In December 2025, he joined a bipartisan effort to strengthen federal carjacking laws. The legislation was aimed at addressing the growing problem of carjacking, particularly in urban areas including those within his district in the Memphis metropolitan area.

Consumer Protection Legislation

In December 2025, Kustoff co-introduced legislation alongside Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) aimed at deterring illegal robocalls and robotexts. The bipartisan, bicameral bill sought to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against unlawful automated communications that affect consumers nationwide.

Federal Funding for West Tennessee

As the representative for Tennessee's 8th district, Kustoff has been active in securing federal funding for projects in West Tennessee. In early 2026, his office announced federal funding for 11 projects in West Tennessee as part of the fiscal year 2026 federal budget. The projects spanned various needs across the district, reflecting Kustoff's focus on directing federal resources to his constituents.

Honoring Fallen Law Enforcement

Kustoff has used his position to honor law enforcement officers from his district. In early 2026, he delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives honoring a fallen Weakley County deputy named Derrick, who died in the line of duty. The remarks were broadcast by WPSD Local 6 and reflected Kustoff's engagement with the law enforcement community in West Tennessee.

Early Policy Positions

Early in his congressional tenure, Kustoff was among the Republican members of Congress who were noted in coverage of the political debate surrounding President Donald Trump's executive order on travel restrictions in January 2017. The Denver Post included Kustoff among Republicans who commented on or were associated with the policy debate at the time.

Incident in 2017

In 2017, an incident occurred in which a woman allegedly attempted to run Kustoff's vehicle off the road. The incident drew national media attention and was covered by BuzzFeed News, highlighting the broader tensions surrounding political figures during that period.

Re-election Campaigns

Kustoff has won re-election to Congress in multiple cycles following his initial victory in 2016. His campaign financial activity has been tracked by the Federal Election Commission. In November 2025, Kustoff formally announced his campaign for re-election to the U.S. Congress, signaling his intention to continue representing Tennessee's 8th congressional district.

Personal Life

David Kustoff is married to Roberta Kustoff, who is also an attorney. The couple has worked together professionally in the Memphis legal community, a dynamic that was profiled by the Memphis Daily News in 2009, which described the benefits of married attorneys collaborating on behalf of their clients. The Kustoffs have two children.

Kustoff is Jewish, and he has been identified as one of a small number of Jewish Republicans serving in the United States Congress, alongside Representatives Max Miller, Randy Fine, and Craig Goldman. He has maintained his residence in the Memphis area throughout his career in public service, reflecting his longstanding ties to West Tennessee.

The Kustoff family's roots in the Memphis community have been a consistent theme in his political career. His connection to other Memphis-area political figures was noted by The Commercial Appeal in coverage that also referenced Jim Strickland, who served as mayor of Memphis.

Recognition

Kustoff's career has included recognition from various organizations and media outlets in Tennessee and nationally. His appointment as United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee by President George W. Bush in 2006 represented a significant recognition of his legal career and standing within the Republican Party in Tennessee.

His successful 2016 congressional campaign garnered endorsements from notable political figures, including Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, both of which reflected his standing within Republican circles.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Kustoff has been sought out by industry organizations such as the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) for engagement with business communities in his district. His participation in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's roundtable discussions on tax reform further reflects his recognition as a significant voice on economic policy matters within the Republican caucus.

Kustoff's bipartisan legislative efforts, including his co-sponsorship of legislation to combat illegal robocalls and robotexts with Democratic colleagues, have demonstrated his capacity for cross-party collaboration on consumer protection issues.