Tom Cole

Thomas Jeffery Cole (born April 28, 1949) is an American politician. He is the U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 4th congressional district, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) from 2006 to 2008.

Tom Cole
Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Jim McGovern
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	Thomas Jeffery Cole (1949-04-28) April 28, 1949 (age 76) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Nationality	United States Chickasaw Nation
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ellen Decker ​ (m. 1971)​
Relations	Helen Cole (mother)
Children	1
Education	Grinnell College (BA) Yale University (MA) University of Oklahoma (PhD)
Website	House website

He is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Cole is one of four Native Americans in Congress who are tribal members. In 2022, Cole became the longest-serving Native American in the history of Congress.^[1][2]