Biography
Overview
Tom Cole is a Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 4th congressional district, serving since 2003. An enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, Cole is the longest-serving Native American in the history of Congress. He previously served in the Oklahoma State Senate (1988–1991) and as Oklahoma's Secretary of State (1995–1999). Cole chairs the House Committee on Appropriations, making him the first Native American and first Oklahoman to hold this position.
Career
Cole has been recognized as the third-most effective House Republican in the 119th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Key accomplishments include leadership on the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization in 2013, sponsorship of the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, and introduction of appropriations measures that have passed both chambers. He served as NRCC chairman following the 2006 election, managing national Republican House campaigns. In the 2016 speakership election, he supported Paul Ryan and spoke against those he viewed as opposing institutional procedures.
Prior political experience
Cole was first elected to Congress in 2002 with 53.8% of the vote against Democratic nominee Darryl Roberts (46.1%). He has won re-election at least eight times, earning at least 63% of the vote in each reelection campaign. In 2010, he ran unopposed. His 2020 general election results show approximately 67.8% of the vote. In 2024, Cole won the Republican primary against four challengers. For 2026, he faces a primary challenge from Marcie Everhart.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Tom Cole
No active campaigns target Tom Cole right now.
Start a campaign targeting Tom ColeOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2025–present | In progress | Tom Cole | — |
| 11th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 10th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 9th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 8th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 7th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 6th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 5th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 4th | U.S. House OK-4 | 2009–2011 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 3rd | U.S. House OK-4 | 2007–2009 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 2nd | U.S. House OK-4 | 2005–2007 | Term ended | Tom Cole | Tom Cole |
| 1st | U.S. House OK-4 | 2003–2005 | Term ended | — | Tom Cole |
Committee assignments
- HouseChair· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 7744
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Mar 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7490
Tribal Warrant Fairness Act
Feb 11, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7325
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
Feb 3, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7147
Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
Jan 20, 2026ENACTED - H.R. 7148
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Jan 20, 2026ENACTED - H.R. 7006
Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026
Jan 12, 2026INTRODUCED - H.R. 6938
Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
Jan 6, 2026ENACTED - H.R. 5428
Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025
Sep 17, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5371
Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Sep 16, 2025ENACTED - H.R. 5257
To reaffirm the trust status of land taken into trust by the United States pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934, for the benefit of an Indian Tribe that was federally recognized on the date that the land was taken into trust.
Sep 10, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8380
To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish certain procedures for consideration of annual appropriation bills, and for other purposes.
Apr 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8205
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Apr 6, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8092
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026
Mar 26, 2026INTRODUCED - H.R. 7954
Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act
Mar 17, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7705
Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2026
Feb 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7698
Tribal Firearm Access Act
Feb 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7457
Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026
Feb 10, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7391
Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act
Feb 5, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6874
Roadway Safety Modernization Act of 2025
Dec 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6130
ASAP Act
Nov 19, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House OK-4 | Won | 66.02% |
|