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mccarvillereport.com
Cole: Unsung Heroes
Representative Tom Cole honors the 1.6 million children of military families and shares his personal history as a 'military child.'
Defense89%
SITTING REPRESENTATIVE · OKLAHOMA · 4TH DISTRICT · REPUBLICANSITTING REPRESENTATIVE · OK-4 · REP
Tom Cole
Tom Cole has represented Oklahoma’s 4th district in the U.S. House since 2003. Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Cole served as party chair from 1985 to 1989, in the Oklahoma Senate from 1988 to 1991, and as Oklahoma secretary of state from 1995 to 1999.
Cole earned a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in 1971, a master’s degree from Yale University in 1974, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1984. Cole served as party chair from 1985 to 1989 and in the Oklahoma Senate from 1988 to 1991, then worked as an executive director from 1991 to 1993. Cole served as Oklahoma secretary of state from 1995 to 1999 and as chief of staff from 1999 to 2001 before entering Congress in 2003.Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Party
- Republican
- In House
- Since 2003
- Age
- 77
- Committees
- 1 · 1 chair
- Next election
- Nov 3, 2026
- HOUSE SINCE
- 2003
- COMMITTEES
- 1
- AGE
- 77
Photo: Official portrait, 2021 / Office of the Clerk, U.S. House
TAP A TAB FOR RECORD, VOTES, BILLS & MORE
Tom Cole at a glance
NET READER RATING
▲ 2 PTS IN 30 DAYS+30
▲ 57 GOOD LOOK88 VOTES31 BAD LOOK ▼
COVERAGE MIX · 13 STORIES
Click a row to open that column below.SENTIMENT BY TOPIC
NETSTATED POSITIONS
2026 OK U.S. House district 4 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
Tom Cole’s record in the 119th Congress
- Participation
- 99%
- ▎ HOUSE MEDIAN 98%
- Missed 9 of 676 roll calls this Congress.
- Party unity
- 96%
- ▎ REP MEDIAN 98%
- 2 points below the median House Republican.
- Bipartisan bills
- 40%
- ▎ HOUSE MEDIAN 40%
- Share of sponsored bills with at least one Democratic cosponsor.
- Bill success
- 60%
- ▎ HOUSE MEDIAN 10%
- Out of committee or further: 9 of 15 sponsored bills.
BROKE WITH PARTY
MAY 13Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025NAY
JAN 08Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit ActYEA
JAN 08Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments ActYEA
HOUSE · 119TH CONGRESSTom Cole’s voting record
| DATE | MEASURE | VOTE | REP MAJORITY | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEP 16 | S. 2403Retire through Ownership Act | YEA | YEA 191–14 | Passed 401–142/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9497Water Resources Development Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 202–9 | Passed 415–92/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9340Ratepayer Protection Act | YEA | YEA 210–0 | Passed 417–32/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 16 | H.J.Res. 213Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, o… | YEA | YEA 210–1 | Passed 214–208 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 10326PROOF Act | YEA | YEA 210–1 | Passed 217–207 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 9576National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 212–0 | Passed 352–72 |
| SEP 16 | H.R. 5334Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 262–159 |
| SEP 15 | H.Con.Res. 93Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove… | NAY | NAY 203–7 | Passed 220–204 |
| SEP 15 | H.J.Res. 210Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, o… | YEA | YEA 212–1 | Passed 216–211 |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 9500Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act | YEA | YEA 195–17 | Passed 408–172/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 2140Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 130–79 | Passed 343–792/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 4646Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 210–0 | Passed 424–02/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 8278Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in Supervision Act | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 417–72/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 15 | H.R. 2978GUARD Act | YEA | YEA 203–7 | Passed 414–72/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 14 | H.R. 3276Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 138–60 | Passed 345–602/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 14 | H.R. 4219National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 165–33 | Passed 371–332/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 03 | H.R. 4795Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 203–2 | Passed 237–169 |
| SEP 02 | H.R. 1501Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 | YEA | YEA 210–0 | Passed 218–201 |
| SEP 02 | H.J.Res. 1Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supre… | YEA | YEA 211–0 | Failed 212–2062/3 NEEDED |
| SEP 01 | H.R. 9436Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 | YEA | YEA 209–2 | Passed 219–196 |
| SEP 01 | H.R. 6500Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 | YEA | YEA 193–19 | Passed 370–482/3 NEEDED |
| AUG 31 | S. 32LACA | YEA | YEA 186–10 | Passed 378–102/3 NEEDED |
| AUG 31 | S. 307Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act | YEA | YEA 187–8 | Passed 376–82/3 NEEDED |
| JUL 23 | H.R. 8884Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act | YEA | YEA 212–0 | Passed 232–188 |
| JUL 23 | H.Con.Res. 89Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove… | NAY | NAY 207–4 | Passed 214–208 |
Bills sponsored by Tom Cole in the 119th Congress
15Sponsored
9Out of cmte
8Passed House
5Became law
SPONSORED · 119TH CONGRESS
Sponsored15
Out of committee9
Passed House8
Became law5
Plus 93 bills cosponsored this Congress.
Tom Cole’s committee assignments
Tom Cole’s career and background
PUBLIC SERVICE · 1985 – PRESENT
OFFICE
Party chair 1985–89Oklahoma Senate 1988–91Oklahoma Secretary of State 1995–99Chief of Staff 1999–01
LEADERSHIPChair, Appropriations 2025–
ALSO: Executive director 1991–93 · U.S. House · OK-4 2003–
- 2025 – NOWChair, Appropriations
- 2003 – NOWU.S. House · OK-4
- 1999 – 01Chief of Staff
- 1995 – 99Oklahoma Secretary of State
- 1991 – 93Executive director
- 1988 – 91Oklahoma Senate
- 1985 – 89Party chair
- BORN
- April 28, 1949 · Shreveport, Louisiana
- OCCUPATION
- Educator
- EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts, Grinnell College, 1971 · Master of Arts, Yale University, 1974 · Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oklahoma, 1984
2026 election: Oklahoma’s 4th District
NEXT ELECTION · OK-4
28DAYS
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
LAST R+37.0ON THE BALLOT
PAST RESULTS
2024U.S. House · OK-465.2%
2022U.S. House · OK-466.7%
2020U.S. House · OK-467.8%
2018U.S. House · OK-463.1%
RESULTS SINCE 20182026 OK-4 HOUSE RACE →STATED POSITIONS
2026 OK U.S. House district 4 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
Tom Cole’s stated positions and sources
Stated positions for the campaign named below. Each summary keeps the conditions in the cited statement.
An unknown topic does not mean support, opposition, or indifference. An office statement describes what the candidate said in office; it is not automatically a campaign pledge.
How we research and check stated positions2026 OK U.S. House district 4 general election · 2026-11-03
Economy
Research is not yet complete.
Healthcare
Research is not yet complete.
Immigration
Research is not yet complete.
Education
Research is not yet complete.
Defense
Research is not yet complete.
Climate
Research is not yet complete.
Gun Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Abortion
Research is not yet complete.
Housing
Research is not yet complete.
Taxes
Research is not yet complete.
Voting Rights
Research is not yet complete.
Crime
Research is not yet complete.
Foreign Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Energy
Research is not yet complete.
Other
Research is not yet complete.
Tom Cole’s campaign fundraising and spending
- RAISED · 2025–26 CYCLE
- $3.8M
- CASH ON HAND
- $2.6M
- SPENT
- $3.0M
WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM
- Individuals
- $2.1M · 56.8%
- PACs
- $1.6M · 43.2%
AIPAC · 2025–26
AIPAC TRACKER →HOW WE COUNT →- THROUGH AIPAC PAC
- $196K
- Earmarked gifts · 110 donors
- $195K
- From the PAC itself
- $5K
AIPAC-BACKED SUPER PAC (UNITED DEMOCRACY PROJECT)
- SUPPORTING
- —
- OPPOSING
- —
SINCE DEC 2021 $527K through AIPAC PAC
Earmarked gifts are part of Individuals above. AIPAC PAC filings through Aug 31.TOP DONORS
Massey, Greg L. Mr.First United Bank · BANKER$14K
Matheny, David Mr.Silencer Shop · OWNER$9K
Tseng, Brandon Mr.Shield Ai · COFOUNDER$7K
Ricketts, J Peter SenUS Senate · SENATOR$7K
Rainbolt, David E. Mr.Banc First · BANKER$7K
Marcus, Stephen Mr.Riot Ventures · VENTURE CAPITALIST$7K
Manocherian, Jed Mr.Woodbranch Investments · REAL ESTATE$7K
Manocherian, Gregory Mr.Self · DEVELOPER$7K
Karp, Alexander C. Dr.Palantir Technologies · EXECUTIVE$7K
Indian Nation, OneidaIndian Tribe · INDIAN TRIBE$7K
Totals by donor name from itemized FEC receipts: individuals and committees that gave over $200.OUTSIDE SPENDING
- SUPPORTING
- $250K
- OPPOSING
- $0
Americans 4 Security PAC$250K / $0
CAMPAIGN SPENDING
Other$2.8M
Advertising$314K
Events$165K
Administrative$33K
Fundraising$19K
How to contact Tom Cole
WASHINGTON, D.C.
2207 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515-3604(202) 225-6165Call (202) 225-6165ONLINE
Websitecole.house.gov
Instagram@TomColeOK04
YouTubereptomcole
FacebookTomColeOK04
Contact Rep. Cole ↗The Journal Record
Cole: One of my most meaningful duties
Tom Cole reflects on recommending district students to military academies and recounts one former appointee's career.
Defense▲ 3 · ▼ 1
Tulsa Flyer
Who is running for Congress in Oklahoma?
Representative Tom Cole is seeking a twelfth term in the House while serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Budget83%
Axios
Rep. Tom Cole tapped to serve as House Appropriations Committee chair - Axios
Representative Tom Cole was tapped to lead the House Appropriations Committee following the departure of Representative Kay Granger.
Budget89%
News On 6
FY '27 Appropriations reaching critical stage
Cole described his committee’s progress and said he expected Congress would need a continuing resolution.
BudgetINFORMATIONAL
The Oklahoman
Top U.S. housing official met with the state's tribal leaders. What they discussed
Cole said funding remains a concern for tribal leaders and that he is working to build support for NAHASDA reauthorization.
Housing50%
Roll Call
Appropriators decry firing of Army chief
Chairman Tom Cole described the firing of Gen. Randy George as a 'real loss' for the U.S. Army.
Defense71%
The Washington Post
Republicans in Congress back Army secretary amid clash with Hegseth
Chairman Tom Cole praised Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as a 'transformational leader' during a high-profile defense hearing.
Budget57%
mccarvillereport.com
Cole: Keeping More Money in Your Pocket
Congressman Tom Cole touted the benefits of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' tax cuts for Oklahoma families and farmers.
Taxes56%
No stories in this column yet.
MOST RATED
mccarvillereport.com · 2 MIN READ
Cole: Unsung Heroes
Representative Tom Cole honors the 1.6 million children of military families and shares his personal history as a 'military child.'
Record updated . ChamberLight is not an official government source. Reader ratings reflect public reception, not editorial judgment.