OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Former Sen. Jim Inhofe, a conservative known for his strong support of defense spending and his denial that human activity is responsible for the bulk of climate change, has passed away at the age of 89.
Inhofe, a significant figure in Oklahoma politics for over sixty years, died on Tuesday morning after suffering a stroke during the July Fourth holiday, as announced by his family.
A Republican senator who underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2013 and was elected to a fifth term in 2020 before resigning in early 2023, Inhofe was a vocal critic of the idea that human actions contribute significantly to climate change. He famously referred to it as “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.”
As the senior senator for Oklahoma, Inhofe was a strong advocate for the state’s military bases and earmarks in Congress. He was also a supporter of President Trump, serving as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee during the Trump administration.
Senator Mitch McConnell praised Inhofe’s dedication to infrastructure projects, energy dominance, and military modernization, calling him a good friend whose work benefitted the nation.
Inhofe’s legacy in Oklahoma includes securing funding to clean up environmentally hazardous sites, supporting veterans, and advocating for the “American Dream.” He defied party lines in 2021 by certifying Joe Biden’s victory and voting against Trump’s impeachment.
Born in Iowa and raised in Oklahoma, Inhofe had a long career in politics, serving as Tulsa’s mayor before being elected to the U.S. House and then the Senate. He was known for his tough campaigning style and his passion for aviation, which included several notable flying incidents.
Inhofe is survived by his wife, Kay, three children, and several grandchildren. His son, Dr. Perry Dyson Inhofe II, tragically passed away in a plane crash in 2013.
Retired Associated Press journalist Tim Talley was the principal writer of this obituary.
