James Lankford

Biography

James Lankford is a strong conservative and servant leader committed to God, family, and the Constitution. Before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and the Senate in 2014, he served families for over two decades in youth ministry.

James is focused on solving the problems and improving the lives of all Americans. He is a proud conservative, but he has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his knowledge on the pressing issues facing the country.

James has been married to Cindy for 30 years. Together, they have two wonderful daughters: Hannah and Jordan.

While remaining passionate about life, religious liberty, and traditional family values, James has become a strong voice for fiscal discipline and accountability in the federal government. He fights the government regulations that are suffocating businesses and weakening the economy. Senator Lankford has continued to fight for Oklahoma’s workers and small businesses throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, he was awarded the “Guardian of the Small Business” award and the “Taxpayer Super Hero” award from Citizens Against Government Waste. James was the Senate’s top-ranked “Taxpayers Friend” by the National Taxpayers Union for his strong record in support of lower taxes, limited government, and economic freedom. He has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.

James currently serves on the Committee on Finance, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Indian Affairs and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where he is the ranking member of Government Operations and Border Management. In addition, James serves on the Select Committee on Ethics and serves on the Senate Republican Whip Team.

Before the Senate, James served in the US House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014 where he was elected by his peers to serve as the Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee for the 113th Congress because of his work behind the scenes to push the Republican Conference toward conservative solutions.

Before Congress, James served in student ministry for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and as the director of the Falls Creek Youth Camp from 1995 to 2009. James is unashamedly Christian in his worldview and daily life. He enjoys spending time with his family, sport shooting, working in his yard and reading.