Tom Cole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Cole
Official portrait, 2021
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office April 10, 2024
Preceded by	Kay Granger
Chair of the House Rules Committee
In office January 3, 2023 – April 10, 2024
Preceded by	Jim McGovern
Succeeded by	Michael C. Burgess
Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Jim McGovern
Succeeded by	Jim McGovern
Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Leader	John Boehner
Preceded by	Tom Reynolds
Succeeded by	Pete Sessions
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2003
Preceded by	J. C. Watts
26th Secretary of State of Oklahoma
In office January 9, 1995 – March 16, 1999
Governor	Frank Keating
Preceded by	Glo Henley
Succeeded by	Mike Hunter
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 45th district
In office November 1988 – July 1991
Preceded by	Helen Cole
Succeeded by	Helen Cole
Personal details
Born	(1949-04-28) April 28, 1949 (age 76) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Nationality	American Chickasaw Nation
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ellen Decker ​ (m. 1971)​
Children	1
Relatives	Helen Cole (mother)
Education	Grinnell College (BA) Yale University (MA) University of Oklahoma (PhD)
Website

Thomas Jeffery Cole (born April 28, 1949) is an American politician who serves in the United States House of Representatives. He represents Oklahoma's 4th district and has been in office since 2003. Cole is a member of the Republican Party.

Cole is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He is one of four enrolled tribal members in Congress. In 2022, he became the longest-serving Native American in the history of Congress.

Early Life and Education

Tom Cole was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His parents were John D. Cole and Helen Te Ata (née Gale). His mother was the first Native American woman elected to the Oklahoma Senate. The family moved back to Oklahoma, where they had deep roots. Cole grew up in Moore.

Cole was very interested in history. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Grinnell College in 1971. He later received a master's degree from Yale University and a Ph.D. in British history from the University of Oklahoma. Before starting his political career, he worked as a college professor, teaching history and politics.

Political Career

Cole with President Donald Trump in February 2020.

Cole followed in his mother's footsteps and entered politics. He was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1988. He later served as Oklahoma's Secretary of State from 1995 to 1999. In this role, he helped with recovery efforts after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

Before being elected to Congress, Cole also worked as a political consultant. He helped other Republican candidates win elections. His work helped the Republican Party become stronger in Oklahoma.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2002, Cole ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and won. He has been reelected many times since then. In Congress, Cole is known for his conservative views. He supports gun rights and businesses. He also works to teach other members of Congress about Native American issues.

Cole has held important leadership roles. He is the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the U.S. government spends its money. He is the first Native American and the first person from Oklahoma to lead this committee.

Key Political Views

Cole's political positions often align with the Republican Party.

• Native American Issues: Cole has been a strong supporter of Native American rights. He helped strengthen protections for Native American women under the Violence Against Women Act.
• Government Spending: He introduced a bill in 2012 to stop public money from being used for political party conventions.
• 2020 Election: In January 2021, Cole voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
• Foreign Policy: He voted to repeal the 2002 resolution that allowed military force in Iraq. He also voted to provide support to Israel after the October 7 attacks.

Personal Life

Cole is married to his wife, Ellen, and they have one son. He is a member of the United Methodist Church and lives in Moore, Oklahoma.

Cole is very proud of his Native American heritage. He has said, "I was raised to think of myself as Native American and, most importantly, as Chickasaw." His great-aunt was the famous Native American storyteller Te Ata.

Election History

• In 2010, no other candidates ran against Cole in the main election. The results shown are from the Republican primary election.

See also

• List of Native Americans in the United States Congress
• List of Native American politicians