History of James Lankford in Timeline

James Paul Lankford is an American Baptist minister and a Republican politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Oklahoma since 2015. Before his Senate tenure, Lankford represented Oklahoma's 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. His background as a minister informs his political views and engagement.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1921: Tulsa Leaders Called for Lankford's Resignation

In January 2021, after James Lankford questioned the validity of the 2020 presidential election, some Black Tulsa leaders called for him to resign from the 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Committee and the Senate, citing his false fraud allegations as an attack on Black voters.

March 4, 1968: James Lankford Born

On March 4, 1968, James Paul Lankford was born. He is an American Baptist minister and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Lankford Earned Bachelor's Degree

In 1990, Lankford earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

1994: Lankford Earned Master's Degree

In 1994, Lankford earned a master's degree in Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

1996: Lankford Became President of Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center

In 1996, Lankford became president of the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center.

2004: Oklahoma Question 711 Passed

In 2004, Oklahoma Question 711, a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions, passed with 75% of the vote and remained law until 2014.

2009: Lankford Stepped Down From Falls Creek

In 2009, Lankford stepped down from his position as president at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center to run for Congress.

2010: Lankford Called Climate Change a Myth

In 2010, James Lankford called climate change a "myth", rejecting the scientific consensus.

2010: Lankford runs for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district

In 2010, James Lankford ran for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. He won the Republican primary after defeating Kevin Calvey in a runoff, and then he defeated Democratic nominee Billy Coyle in the general election.

2012: Lankford defeated Tom Guild and named chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee

In 2012, Lankford defeated Democrat Tom Guild with 59% of the vote. Following the election, he was named chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee.

2013: Lankford Condemned Supreme Court Decision on DOMA

In 2013, James Lankford condemned the Supreme Court decision striking down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

2013: Lankford Defended Phil Robertson

In 2013, James Lankford defended Phil Robertson after he was suspended from Duck Dynasty following comments regarded as anti-LGBT and racist, attacking A&E for the suspension.

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June 2014: Lankford Won Republican Primary

In June 2014, Lankford won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate special election, defeating T.W. Shannon and Randy Brogdon.

2014: Federal Judge Struck Down Oklahoma's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

In 2014, a federal judge struck down Oklahoma Question 711 as unconstitutional, prompting Lankford to assert that "marriage is a state issue and Oklahoma has spoken."

January 6, 2015: Lankford Sworn into Office

On January 6, 2015, James Lankford was sworn into office as a United States Senator by Vice President Joe Biden.

2015: Lankford Condemned Supreme Court Ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges

In 2015, James Lankford condemned the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the constitution.

2016: Lankford Reelected to the Senate

In 2016, Lankford was elected to a full six-year term in the Senate, defeating Mike Workman with 68% of the vote.

December 21, 2017: Lankford Introduced Secure Elections Act

On December 21, 2017, James Lankford was one of six senators to introduce the Secure Elections Act, which would authorize block grants to states to update outdated voting technology.

August 2018: Lankford Urged Sanctions Against Chinese Officials

In August 2018, James Lankford, along with Marco Rubio and other lawmakers, urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

2018: Lankford Criticized Funding of Climate Change Reporting

In 2018, James Lankford criticized the National Science Foundation for funding projects to increase reporting on climate change in weathercasts, calling it "propagandizing."

June 2020: Lankford Criticized Trump's Church Visit and Discussed Racism

In June 2020, James Lankford criticized President Trump's decision to walk to St John's Episcopal Church, calling it "confrontational". He also discussed racism and the need for families to build friendships across ethnic lines.

2020: Lankford Planned to Object to Electoral Votes

In 2020, James Lankford initially announced plans to object to the counting of some swing states' electoral votes as part of an attempt to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.

2020: National Border Patrol Council Endorsed Trump

In 2020, The National Border Patrol Council, a union representing 18,000 border patrol officers, endorsed Donald Trump and sharply criticized Joe Biden's border policies.

2020: Tulsa Leaders Called for Lankford's Resignation

January 2021: Tulsa Leaders Called for Lankford's Resignation

April 6, 2021: Lankford announced reelection bid

On April 6, 2021, Lankford announced he would seek reelection. He was reelected with 64% of the vote.

May 28, 2021: Lankford Voted Against January 6 Commission

On May 28, 2021, James Lankford voted against creating the January 6 commission.

2021: Lankford Reversed Course on Electoral Vote Objection After Capitol Attack

In 2021, James Lankford reversed course on his plans to object to the counting of some swing states' electoral votes after the January 6th United States Capitol attack. He later apologized for casting doubt on the validity of the election results.

2023: Lankford Becomes Senior Senator

In 2023, Lankford became the senior U.S. senator from Oklahoma upon the retirement of Senator Jim Inhofe.

2023: Voted Against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Lankford was among 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 to raise the debt ceiling.

February 4, 2024: Senate Republicans swiftly turned against the border bill

On February 4, 2024, Senate Republicans swiftly turned against the bipartisan bill intended to resolve the Mexico–United States border crisis upon its release, after Donald Trump said he did not want President Joe Biden to score a political win with it.