
Tom Cole
OK-04 Republican nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age77 years old (Apr 28, 1949)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationOklahoma
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationGrinnell College (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsThomas Jeffery “Tom” Cole is a Republican member of the U.S. House representing Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District, serving in Congress since 2003. He previously served as Oklahoma Secretary of State (1995–1999) and as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate (1988–1991). Cole earned degrees from Grinnell College (B.A.), Yale University (M.A.), and the University of Oklahoma (Ph.D.), and has worked as a consultant and college instructor.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports extending and protecting recent Republican tax cuts, simplifying the tax code (including boosting the standard deduction), and favors policies that reduce government spending and prioritize small-business growth. Emphasizes making the 2017 tax cuts permanent and backing Republican reconciliation legislation that codifies tax reductions.
Healthcare
Supports a prominent role for private insurance and market-based solutions to health care, including expansion of health savings accounts and increased telehealth access, while opposing government takeover models. Has backed funding for biomedical research and veterans’ health but voted for Republican legislation aimed at restructuring ACA subsidies and lowering premiums through market-oriented reforms.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures, including completing border wall construction and passing legislation to restrict unauthorized voting and tighten immigration-related enforcement. Has voted for Republican border-security legislation and for rules and bills that prioritize enforcement and border control funding while opposing amendments that would soften enforcement provisions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports pro-life policies, opposes federal funding for abortions, has cosponsored and voted for legislation restricting late-term abortion and protecting born-alive infants, and advocates making Hyde-like protections permanent.
Climate & Energy
The candidate supports an "America First"/energy-dominance approach that emphasizes domestic oil, gas, coal, and mineral production, opposes Biden-era climate and energy regulations, and describes an "all-of-the-above" approach to energy with continued support for fossil fuels alongside renewables when they are economical.
Public Safety & Guns
Tom Cole strongly supports Second Amendment rights and opposes major new federal gun restrictions such as an assault weapons ban and expansion of background checks. He frames many proposed gun-control bills as infringements on law‑abiding gun owners’ constitutional rights and has received high ratings and endorsement from the NRA based on his voting record.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News
- Polls
- Endorsements
