Eighty-seven-year-old U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, is retiring from the Senate, effective January 3, 2023. Inhofe sent an official to Oklahoma Secretary of State Brian Bingman.
“It is bittersweet, but with a clear heart, that Kay and I announce that at the end of the year, I will retire from the United States Senate,” said Inhofe.
Inhofe’s political career began in 1967 when he was a state representative (1967-69) and then a state senator (1969-1977). He lost a bid for governor to former Oklahoma governor in 1974.
In 1976, Inhofe beat former State Representative Frank Keating (later Keating became governor) in the GOP primary for First District Congress. Inhofe was beaten in the general election by incumbent Democrat James R. Jones.
In 1978, Inhofe beat Democrat Rodger Randle in the race for mayor of Tulsa. Inhofe was re-elected to a second four-year term in 1980 by beating Democrat Tom Seymore.
Jones left his congressional seat in 1986 in a failed run for the U.S. Senate. Inhofe was the GOP nominee and he beat Democrat Gary Allison. Inhofe was re-elected in 1988 by beating Democrat Kurt Glassco, who was Gov. George Nigh’s legal counsel and who is now a District Court Judge in Tulsa. Inhofe beat Glassco again in 1990 and defeated former Tulsa County Commissioner John Selph in 1992.
After then-Senator David Boren left office, Inhofe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994 by defeating Democrat Dave McCurdy. Boren won subsequent elections to the Senate in 1996 (versus Democrat Jim Boren), in 2002 against former Democrat Governor David Walters, in 2008 against Democrat Andrew Rice, in 2014 against Democrat Matt Silverstein and finally against Democrat Abby Broyles in 2020.
Inhofe was known for his challenge to the theory of climate change, his support for hydraulic fracturing, opposition to the Paris Agreement on global warming, his support for the Nation Israel, opposition to the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, his criticism of illegal immigration at the southern border, his support for gun rights, his opposition to legalized abortion, his help for veterans’ assistance and overall support fore the military. He is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate.
A career politician, Inhofe said, “Going into public service was never in my plan. For years, Kay and I were focused on our family and building our business together. Then, one day, I needed a dock permit. I had to visit 27 government offices to get a single dock permit, and realized if we wanted the government to work for the people, not against the people, it was up to us to make a change.”
A special election will be called to elect Inhofe’s replacement.
Inhofe has endorsed Luke Holland, who is on his staff and has announced he is running. Holland grew up attending the Grace Community Church in Bartlesville and is now a member of New Beginnings Church in Bixby.
State Sen. Dathan Dahm, U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin and former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon have announced for the Republican nomination.