Jim Inhofe

Jim Inhofe
Born	James Mountain Inhofe November 17, 1934
Birthplace	Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Died	July 9, 2024 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	Longest-serving U.S. senator from Oklahoma; chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Education	University of Tulsa (BA)
Spouse(s)	Kay Kirkpatrick Inhofe
Children	4
Awards	True Blue Award (Family Research Council)

James Mountain Inhofe (November 17, 1934 – July 9, 2024) was an American politician and businessman who served as a United States senator from Oklahoma from 1994 to 2023, making him the longest-serving U.S. senator in the state's history. A member of the Republican Party, Inhofe held elected office in Oklahoma for nearly sixty years, beginning with his election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1966. Over the course of his career, he served in the Oklahoma state legislature, as mayor of Tulsa, as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, and finally in the United States Senate, where he chaired both the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Inhofe became one of the most prominent voices in Congress on defense policy and was among the most outspoken skeptics of climate science in American public life, at one point bringing a snowball onto the Senate floor during winter as an argument against global warming. His decades of public service and his strong ties to Tulsa and Oklahoma's military communities defined a political career that spanned from the Johnson administration to the Biden administration.

Early Life

James Mountain Inhofe was born on November 17, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa. His father, Perry Inhofe, was an owner of insurance companies, and his mother, Blanche Inhofe (née Mountain), was a Tulsa socialite. In 1942, when Jim was seven years old, the family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he would spend the remainder of his life and build his political career.

Growing up in Tulsa, Inhofe attended Central High School, where he distinguished himself as a track star. After graduating from high school, he briefly attended the University of Colorado before transferring to and completing his bachelor's degree at the University of Tulsa.

In 1956, Inhofe was drafted into the United States Army. He served from 1957 to 1958, attaining the rank of Specialist 4. Following his military service, Inhofe returned to Tulsa and entered the family business. In 1961, he became vice-president of his father's insurance company. After his father Perry's death in 1970, Inhofe assumed the presidency of the firm, running it alongside his growing political career.

Education

Inhofe's post-secondary education began at the University of Colorado, where he enrolled after completing high school at Tulsa's Central High School. He did not remain at Colorado long, ultimately transferring to the University of Tulsa, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. The University of Tulsa would remain an important institution in Inhofe's life, and his long career in Tulsa-area politics was closely tied to the city's civic and educational fabric.

Career

Oklahoma State Legislature (1966–1977)

Inhofe began his political career in 1966 when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, representing the 70th district, which encompassed parts of Tulsa. He served in the state House from December 29, 1966, to January 7, 1969, succeeding Joseph McGraw and being succeeded by Richard Hancock.

In 1969, Inhofe moved to the Oklahoma Senate, representing the 35th district. He served in the state Senate until January 4, 1977. During his tenure in the upper chamber, Inhofe became known for his contentious relationship with Oklahoma's Democratic Party leadership, engaging in public feuds with Governor David Hall and state treasurer Leo Winters. He also spearheaded the effort to bring the USS Batfish, a World War II submarine, to Oklahoma as a memorial attraction—a project that reflected his interest in military heritage and veterans' causes that would characterize his later career.

In January 1975, Inhofe was selected as Minority Leader of the Oklahoma Senate, a position he held until February 1976, succeeding Donald Ferrell and being succeeded by Stephen Wolfe.

While still serving in the state Senate, Inhofe sought higher office. He ran for governor of Oklahoma in the 1974 election and for the United States House of Representatives in 1976. Both campaigns were unsuccessful, but they demonstrated his ambition and helped raise his profile across the state.

Mayor of Tulsa (1978–1984)

After leaving the state Senate, Inhofe ran for and was elected as the 32nd mayor of Tulsa. He took office on May 2, 1978, succeeding Robert LaFortune, and served three terms as mayor until May 8, 1984, when he was succeeded by Terry Young. As mayor, Inhofe oversaw the governance of Oklahoma's second-largest city during a period of economic change in the energy sector. His tenure as mayor further cemented his reputation as a leading Republican figure in a state that was increasingly trending toward the party.

United States House of Representatives (1987–1994)

Inhofe was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986, representing Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, which was centered on Tulsa. He succeeded James R. Jones and took office on January 3, 1987. He was reelected to the seat twice more, serving until November 15, 1994, when he resigned following his election to the United States Senate. He was succeeded in the House by Steve Largent, the former professional football player.

During his time in the House, Inhofe compiled a conservative voting record on fiscal, social, and defense issues. He became an advocate for general aviation, reflecting both his personal interest as a pilot and the importance of the aviation industry to Oklahoma's economy. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association recognized Inhofe for his advocacy on behalf of the general aviation community.

United States Senate (1994–2023)

Inhofe won a special election in November 1994 to fill the Senate seat vacated by David Boren, who had resigned to become president of the University of Oklahoma. Inhofe took office on November 17, 1994—his 60th birthday—and would go on to serve in the Senate for more than 28 years, making him the longest-serving United States senator in Oklahoma history. He was succeeded by Markwayne Mullin upon his retirement on January 3, 2023.

Environment and Climate

Inhofe chaired the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) during two separate periods: from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2007, and from January 3, 2015, to January 3, 2017. He succeeded Jim Jeffords in the first stint and Barbara Boxer in the second.

As chair of the EPW Committee, Inhofe became the most prominent congressional critic of scientific consensus on climate change. He described the threat of catastrophic global warming as "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people" in a 2003 speech on the Senate floor. His stance brought him considerable national and international attention and placed him in direct opposition to environmental organizations and many in the scientific community.

In February 2015, during a winter cold spell, Inhofe brought a snowball onto the Senate floor and threw it at the presiding officer, arguing that the snowball's existence called into question claims about rising global temperatures. The episode became one of the most widely discussed moments of his Senate career and drew criticism from climate scientists and environmental groups.

In 2009, Inhofe pointed to hacked emails from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia—an episode that became known as "Climategate"—as evidence that the scientific basis for climate change had been fabricated. PolitiFact evaluated Inhofe's claims about the emails and their implications for climate science.

The League of Conservation Voters gave Inhofe consistently low ratings throughout his Senate career, reflecting his voting record against environmental legislation.

Armed Services and Defense Policy

Inhofe served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from September 6, 2018, to February 3, 2021. He assumed the chairmanship following the death of John McCain and was succeeded by Jack Reed.

As chairman and as a senior member of the committee, Inhofe was a consistent advocate for increased defense spending and strong support for military personnel and their families. His work on military issues extended to active engagement with defense communities across the country. The Association of Defense Communities recognized Inhofe posthumously as one of its "ADC50 Changemakers," noting that his support for the military "was never abstract" but "personal, local and rooted in the communities he knew."

Representative Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement upon Inhofe's death acknowledging the senator's decades of work on defense matters and his service to the country.

During the debate over the 2008 GI Bill, which sought to expand education benefits for post-9/11 veterans, Inhofe was involved in discussions about the scope and funding of the legislation.

Social Issues

Inhofe held conservative positions on social issues throughout his career. He was a supporter of constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage and was vocal in his opposition to expanding legal recognition for same-sex couples. The Human Rights Campaign, which tracks congressional voting on LGBTQ issues, documented Inhofe's record on such legislation.

In 2006, Inhofe introduced what became known as the Inhofe Amendment, a legislative proposal to make English the national language of the United States. The amendment attracted significant media coverage and debate about language policy and immigration.

In 2004, during the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal, Inhofe made headlines when he stated during a Senate hearing that he was "more outraged by the outrage" over the abuse than by the abuse itself. The comments drew widespread criticism and national media attention.

Campaign Finances

Throughout his Senate career, Inhofe received significant campaign contributions from the energy and natural resources sector, among other industries. Data from the Center for Responsive Politics documented the industries that supported his campaigns over his career cycle as well as on individual election cycles.

Disaster Relief Votes

In 2013, after a devastating tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, Inhofe and fellow Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn faced scrutiny for their previous votes against federal disaster relief funding, including aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Inhofe argued that the Oklahoma tornado situation was "totally different" from the Sandy relief bills, which he said contained unrelated spending.

Africa and Faith

Inhofe made numerous trips to Africa during his Senate career, which he described as being motivated by his Christian faith. He was associated with Doug Coe and the Fellowship, a Christian organization connected to the C Street Center in Washington, D.C. Reporting by Mother Jones and The Oklahoman documented Inhofe's characterization of his Africa visits as "a Jesus thing."

EPA and Regulatory Policy

As the top Republican on the EPW Committee, Inhofe was a leading congressional opponent of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, particularly those related to greenhouse gas emissions. He joined efforts with House members to challenge the EPA's regulatory authority over carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Personal Life

Inhofe married Kay Kirkpatrick, the daughter of Glade Kirkpatrick. The couple had four children, including a daughter named Molly. The Inhofe family was based in Tulsa throughout his career, and Inhofe maintained strong ties to the city even while serving in Washington, D.C.

Inhofe was an avid private pilot who held a pilot's license for much of his adult life. His enthusiasm for flying shaped his legislative interest in general aviation policy and his advocacy for the aviation industry in Congress.

Inhofe was a devout Christian whose faith informed his public service and his travels to Africa. He was a member of the Republican Party throughout his political career and was considered one of the most conservative members of the United States Senate.

James Mountain Inhofe died on July 9, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 89.

Recognition

Inhofe received the "True Blue" award from the Family Research Council, an honor given to members of Congress who demonstrated consistent support for the organization's policy positions on social conservative issues.

The Association of Defense Communities named Inhofe one of its "ADC50 Changemakers," recognizing his sustained efforts on behalf of military installations and the communities surrounding them.

Following Inhofe's death, lawmakers on Capitol Hill held a public tribute honoring the former senator's decades of public service.

In November 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs took ownership of a new hospital in Tulsa that was named in Inhofe's honor, recognizing his long advocacy for veterans and military communities. The facility represented the culmination of a project that had been years in development.

Legacy

Jim Inhofe's nearly six decades in elected office made him one of the most enduring figures in Oklahoma political history. As the state's longest-serving United States senator, he shaped Oklahoma's representation in Washington through his focus on defense, energy, and conservative social policies. His chairmanship of both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee gave him significant influence over two of the most consequential areas of federal policy.

His opposition to climate science legislation and environmental regulation made him a polarizing national figure. To supporters, he was a principled defender of economic freedom and a critic of what he viewed as regulatory overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency. To critics, his rejection of scientific consensus on climate change represented a significant obstacle to environmental policy action during a critical period.

On defense and military issues, Inhofe's legacy is less contested. His work on the Armed Services Committee earned him respect from members of both parties, and the naming of the Tulsa VA hospital in his honor reflected the breadth of his advocacy for veterans and military communities in Oklahoma and beyond.

Inhofe's career trajectory—from the Oklahoma state legislature to the mayor's office to Congress and the Senate—traced the broader transformation of Oklahoma politics from a solidly Democratic state to a Republican stronghold, and he was one of the figures who helped drive that change.