James M. Inhofe, a long-serving senator from Oklahoma and a prominent figure in American politics, has passed away at the age of 89. Inhofe was known for his strong support of defense spending and his denial of human-caused climate change. He served as a state legislator and Tulsa's three-term mayor before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, where he became a powerful fixture in Oklahoma politics for over six decades.
Inhofe was born in Des Moines on Nov. 17, 1934 and served as a state legislator from 1967-77 and Tulsa's three-term mayor from 1978-84. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, where he became known for his strong support of defense spending, serving as chairman of the Armed Services Committee following John McCain's death.
Inhofe was a vocal denier of human-caused climate change and famously brought a snowball onto the Senate floor to argue against its existence. He wrote a book on the topic, titled 'The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future.' Despite his skepticism of climate change, Inhofe was also known for his advocacy for veterans and his belief in the American Dream.
Inhofe underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2013 before being elected to a fourth term in the Senate. He was re-elected to a fifth term in 2020, but stepped down in early 2023. Inhofe's legacy will be preserved at Oklahoma State University, where he chose to archive his extensive collection of items from his time in office.
Tributes have been pouring in for Inhofe, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calling him a 'diligent steward' and 'relentless advocate' for the people he served. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has ordered flags to be flown at half staff through Wednesday in his honor.
Inhofe will be remembered as a 'rock-ribbed' figure and a 'one-man truth squad,' who was not afraid to speak his mind and stand up for what he believed in. His passing marks the end of an era in Oklahoma politics, and he will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
