Former Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, Known for Climate Change Denial, Dies at 89

Former Sen. Jim Inhofe, a powerful fixture in Oklahoma politics for over six decades, has passed away at the age of 89. Inhofe, a Republican known for his staunch support of defense spending and his denial of human activity as the main contributor to climate change, suffered a stroke during the July Fourth holiday and did not recover.

Inhofe had a long and influential political career, being elected to the state House in 1966 and later to the state Senate. He served as Tulsa's mayor for three terms and went on to win two terms in the U.S. House in the 1980s. In 1994, he won a special election to fill the remainder of Sen. David Boren's term and continued to be reelected for five more terms.

Throughout his time in office, Inhofe was a vocal critic of mainstream climate science, once famously calling it "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people." He frequently dismissed the idea that human activities significantly contribute to climate change. Inhofe even brought a snowball onto the Senate floor in 2015 to make a point about global warming during a period of cold weather in Washington, D.C.

As a strong supporter of Oklahoma's military installations, Inhofe played a crucial role in securing federal funds for the state's defense projects. He was also a vocal fan of congressional earmarks and criticized House Republicans who wanted to impose a moratorium on such projects in 2010.

Inhofe was a staunch backer of former President Donald Trump and served as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee during the Trump administration. He was praised by Trump for his unwavering support of the "Make America Great Again" agenda.

In addition to his defense advocacy, Inhofe worked to address environmental issues closer to home. He helped secure millions of dollars for the cleanup of Tar Creek, a former mining area in northeastern Oklahoma that was on the EPA's Superfund list due to high levels of lead.

Inhofe's political career was not without controversy. In 2021, he defied some members of his party by voting to certify President Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election, stating that it was his duty to uphold the Constitution. However, he consistently voted against convicting Trump in both impeachment trials.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a fellow Republican, ordered flags on state property to be flown at half-staff in honor of Inhofe. Many colleagues and politicians, both from his party and across the aisle, have paid tribute to his long career and described him as a dedicated public servant.

Born in Iowa in 1934, Inhofe moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma as a child. He served in the Army before starting a successful business career. Inhofe leaves behind a legacy as one of Oklahoma's most influential politicians, despite his controversial stance on climate change and his climate-related public antics.

The passing of Sen. Jim Inhofe marks the end of an era in Oklahoma politics, as his strong support for defense spending and climate change skepticism defined much of his long and influential career.