Former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe died Tuesday morning.Inhofe, 89, had a long career in politics, serving nearly three decades in the U.S. Senate after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, the state House and Senate and as the mayor of Tulsa. He began his career of public service in 1967.He was the longest serving U.S. representative in state history.Gov. Kevin Stitt said during a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol on Tuesday that Inhofe was an “iconic Oklahoman.”“He was in the U.S. Senate for almost 30 years and was a really great representation of Oklahoma values, Oklahoma common sense… so when you think about a U.S. Senator representing your state, you can think about Jim Inhofe,” Stitt said.“We truly lost a great Oklahoman and a great American.”Inhofe served in the U.S. Army and was a passionate pilot. He was known for his emphasis on military and infrastructure.State House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said in a statement that Inhofe left a “long lasting impact” on Oklahoma and served the U.S. in more than one way.“My condolences go out to the family and friends of Senator Jim Inhofe,” Munson said. “He was a tenacious leader, state representative, and United States Senator who stood firm in his convictions.”Inhofe was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2020 to the U.S. Senate, but later announced he would retire Jan. 3, 2023.He leaves behind his wife, Kay Inhofe, and their four children.
