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'{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} {{short description|United States Senator from Oklahoma}} {{Use American English|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = James Lankford | image = James Lankford official Senate photo.jpg | jr/sr = United States Senator | state = [[Oklahoma]] | alongside = [[Jim Inhofe]] | term_start = January 3, 2015 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Tom Coburn]] | successor = | office1 = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics|Senate Ethics Committee]] | status1 = Designate | term_start1 = TBD<br />''(no sooner than January 20, 2021)'' | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = [[Chris Coons]] | successor1 = | office2 = Chair of the [[United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics|Senate Ethics Committee]] | term_start2 = December 19, 2019 | term_end2 = <br />''(no later than January 20, 2021)'' | predecessor2 = [[Johnny Isakson]] | successor2 = [[Chris Coons]] |office3 = Chair of the [[House Republican Policy Committee]] |term_start3 = January 3, 2013 |term_end3 = January 3, 2015 |leader3 = [[John Boehner]] |predecessor3 = [[Tom Price (American politician)|Tom Price]]<ref>https://republicanpolicy.house.gov/about</ref> |successor3 = [[Luke Messer]] | state4 = [[Oklahoma]] | district4 = {{ushr|OK|5|5th}} | term_start4 = January 3, 2011 | term_end4 = January 3, 2015 | predecessor4 = [[Mary Fallin]] | successor4 = [[Steve Russell (politician)|Steve Russell]] | birth_name = James Paul Lankford | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|3|4}} | birth_place = [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | spouse = {{marriage|Cindy Hennessey|1992}} | children = 2 | education = [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas, Austin]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BSc]])<br>[[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] ([[Master of Divinity|M.Div.]]) | website = {{url|lankford.senate.gov|Senate website}} }} '''James Paul Lankford''' (born March 4, 1968) is an American politician serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|junior]] [[United States Senator]] from [[Oklahoma]] since 2015. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], he previously served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|OK|5}} from 2011 to 2015. From 1996 to 2009, Lankford was the student ministries and evangelism specialist for the [[Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma]] and director of the youth programming at the [[Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center]] in [[Davis, Oklahoma]]. In January 2014, Lankford announced he would run in the [[United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, 2014|2014 U.S. Senate special election]] following [[Tom Coburn]]'s resignation from the Senate. He won the June 2014 primary with 57% of the vote, becoming the Republican nominee. He won the special election with nearly 68% of the vote and was elected to the balance of Coburn's term. He was reelected in [[United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2016|2016]], again with nearly 68% of the vote. == Early life, education and career == Lankford was born March 4, 1968, in [[Dallas]], Texas,<ref name=NationalJournal>{{cite news|title=James Lankford (R)|first=John|last=Ryan|newspaper=[[National Journal]]|date=October 27, 2010|url=http://nationaljournal.com/politics/james-lankford-r--20101027|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107034632/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/james-lankford-r--20101027|archive-date=November 7, 2010}}</ref> the son of Linda Joyce (née House) and James Wesley Lankford.<ref>https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V88S-548</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://robbinsandestes.genealogyvillage.com/house.html | title=House Family}}</ref> His mother was an elementary school [[librarian]].<ref name="Barone2012">{{cite book|title=The Almanac of American Politics 2012|last=Barone|first=Michael|author2=Chuck McCutcheon|publisher=[[National Journal Group]]|year=2011|isbn=978-0-226-03807-0|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|pages=1331–1333|author-link=Michael Barone (pundit)|author2-link=Chuck McCutcheon}}</ref> His maternal grandparents owned a small dry-cleaning business, his father and paternal grandparents a dairy farm.<ref name=":0" /> His stepfather was a career employee of [[AC Delco]], the parts division of [[General Motors]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|work=Our Campaigns|title=Our Campaigns – Candidate – James Lankford|author=Scott, RBH|access-date=November 13, 2013|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=240063}}</ref> His parents divorced when he was four; he lived with his mother and older brother for a time in his grandparents' garage apartment. He became a Christian at eight. His mother remarried when he was twelve, and the family moved to [[Garland, Texas]], with his stepfather.<ref name=Barone2012 /> Lankford attended [[Lakeview Centennial High School]] in Garland. While there, he participated in the [[Close Up Foundation|Close Up Washington]] civic education program. He earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[Secondary Education]] (specializing in speech and history) at [[University of Texas at Austin]] in 1990, and a master's degree in [[Divinity]] at [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] in 1994.<ref name="Barone2012" /> He was a substitute teacher and speech team assistant teacher at Pflugerville High School in 1991.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} After graduating, Lankford moved to [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]], a suburb of [[Oklahoma City]], where he still lives. He worked for the [[Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma]]. From 1996 to 2005, he was the program director of [[Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center|Falls Creek]], the largest Christian camp in the U.S.<ref name="CampaignBio">{{cite web |url=http://jameslankford.com/about/biography |title=About <nowiki>|</nowiki> James Lankford |work=JamesLankford.com |access-date=February 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312083945/http://www.jameslankford.com/about/biography |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=OKL - Youth Minister to Congressman|url=https://www.okl.coop/sections/oklahoma-stories/youth-minister-to-congressman/|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=www.okl.coop}}</ref> == U.S. House of Representatives == === Elections === ==== 2010 election ==== {{Main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma#District 5}} After two-term incumbent Republican [[Mary Fallin]] announced she was giving up her seat to run for [[governor of Oklahoma]], Lankford entered the race to succeed her.<ref name=NationalJournal /> He finished first in a seven-way Republican primary—the important contest in this heavily Republican district—and defeated former [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Kevin Calvey]] in the runoff.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oklahoma Primary Runoff Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/primaries/oklahoma/runoff.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> He then defeated Democrat Billy Coyle in the general election with 62.53% of the vote.<ref name=Barone2012 /><ref name="electionwin">{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/lankford-takes-fallins-seat-in-congress-5th-district/article/3510749|title=Oklahoma elections: Republican James Lankford wins race to succeed Mary Fallin|last=Casteel|first=Chris|date=November 3, 2010|newspaper=[[The Oklahoman]]|access-date=November 13, 2013}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=NationalJournal /> ==== 2012 election ==== Lankford defeated Democrat Tom Guild with 59% of the vote. Following the election, he was named chairman of the [[Steering and Policy Committees of the United States House of Representatives|House Republican Policy Committee]], the fifth-ranking position in the House Republican caucus, an unusually senior position for a second-term House member. '''Committee assignments''' * '''[[United States House Committee on the Budget]]''' * '''[[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]]''' ** [[United States House Oversight Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements]] (Chairman)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lankford.house.gov/about-me/committees-and-caucuses |title=Committees and Caucuses |access-date=September 30, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003000813/http://lankford.house.gov/about-me/committees-and-caucuses |archive-date=October 3, 2014 }}</ref> * [[Republican Policy Committee Chairman of the United States House of Representatives|United States House of Representatives Republican Policy Committee]] (Chair) == U.S. Senate == === Elections === ==== 2014 ==== {{Main|2014 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma}} In January 2014, Lankford announced he would run in the [[United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, 2014|2014 Senate special election]] to succeed retiring Republican Senator [[Tom Coburn]].<ref name="McCalmont">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/james-lankford-tom-coburn-senate-seat-102384.html|title=James Lankford announces Senate bid|last=McCalmont|first=Lucy|date=January 20, 2014|newspaper=Politico}}</ref> Lankford won the June 2014 Republican primary, defeating former state House speaker [[T.W. Shannon]] and former state senator [[Randy Brogdon]].<ref name=TParti>{{cite news|last1=Parti|first1=Tarini|title=James Lankford wins Okla. GOP Senate nomination outright|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/oklahoma-primary-2014-james-lankford-108269.html?hp=l1|access-date=June 25, 2014|publisher=Politico|date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> In November, Lankford won the election for the final two years of Coburn's second term, defeating retiring state senator [[Constance N. Johnson]] by 319,079 votes, with 557,002 (67.9%) to Johnson's 237,923 (29.0%). Independent candidate Mark Beard won the remaining 25,965 votes (3.2%).<ref>[http://www.ok.gov/elections/support/20141104_seb.html], Oklahoma State Elections Board, November 4, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2015.</ref> ==== 2016 ==== {{Main|2016 United States Senate election in Oklahoma}} Lankford was elected to a full six-year term in the Senate at the [[United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2016|2016 Oklahoma United States Senate election]], defeating Democratic consultant Mike Workman with 67.7 percent of the vote. As in 2014, he won in a [[landslide victory|landslide]], carrying [[List of counties in Oklahoma|every county in the state]]. === Tenure === Lankford was sworn into office on January 6, 2015, by [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Joe Biden]]. On December 21, 2017, Lankford was one of six senators to introduce the Secure Elections Act, legislation authorizing block grants to states to update outdated voting technology as well as form a program for an independent panel of experts that would work toward the development of cybersecurity guidelines for election systems that states could then implement, along with offering states resources to install the recommendations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/365986-bipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-introduces-new-election-security-bill|title=Bipartisan group of lawmakers backs new election security bill|date=December 21, 2017|work=The Hill}}</ref> '''Committee assignments''' * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]''' ** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies]] ** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development|Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development]] ** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government|Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government]] ** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies]] ** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs|Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs]] * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Committee on Finance]]''' ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth|Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth]] ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care|Subcommittee on Health Care]] ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy|Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy]] * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]]''' ** [[United States Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management|Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management]] (Chairman) * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Committee on Indian Affairs]]''' * '''[[United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics|Select Committee on Ethics]]''' == Political positions == === Taxes === Lankford supports budget austerity through lowering taxes and reducing government spending.<ref name=issues>{{cite web| title =James Lankford (Republican, district 5) |work=On the Issues |url=http://ontheissues.org/House/James_Lankford.htm}}</ref> He took the taxpayer protection pledge promising to support no new taxes.<ref name=issues /> He supports the repeal of the income and estate taxes and supports a sales tax to tax consumption and not savings or earnings.<ref name=issues /> === Guns === In 2014, Lankford was endorsed by the [[National Rifle Association]] and had an "A" rating for his consistent support of pro-gun legislation.<ref>{{cite news |title=10 Politicians Who Are Praying for the Orlando Victims And Have Taken Money From the NRA |first=Joshua |last=Eaton |date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/politicians-tweet-prayers-orlando-victims-accept-nra-money |magazine=[[Teen Vogue]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NRA Endorses James Lankford for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma |date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140912/nra-endorses-james-lankford-for-us-senate-in-oklahoma |publisher=[[National Rifle Association]]}}</ref> Lankford supports loosening restrictions on interstate gun purchases.<ref name=issues /> He opposes [[firearm microstamping]], a controversial method of imprinting casings with a unique marking to match it with a specific firearm, and would allow veterans to register unlicensed firearms.<ref name=issues /> After the 2018 [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]] in which the perpetrator used a [[Smith & Wesson M&P15]] [[AR-15 style rifle]] to kill 17 and wound 17 others, Lankford said on [[NBC News]]' ''[[Meet the Press]]'' he was open to requiring more comprehensive [[universal background check|background checks]] for firearm purchases, saying, "The problem is not owning an AR-15, it’s the person who owns it.”<ref>{{cite news |title=GOP Sen. Lankford has 'no issue' with stronger gun background checks |first=Kailani |last=Koenig |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |agency=[[NBC News]] |work=[[Meet the Press]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-sen-lankford-open-stronger-gun-background-checks-n849176}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Congress wonders if this time will be different for gun control |first=Lauren |last=Fox |agency=[[CNN]] |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/gun-control-congress-fight/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 19, 2018 |title=Florida shooting sparks reactions from Republican senators on gun control |first=Kaitlyn |last=Schallhorn |agency=[[Fox News]] |access-date=July 9, 2018 |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/19/florida-shooting-sparks-reactions-from-republican-senators-on-gun-control.html}}</ref> === Defense === Lankford supports extending the [[Patriot Act]] and expanding roving wiretaps occurring in the US.<ref name=issues /> He supports the prioritization of security, starting with military bases.<ref name=issues /> === Environment === Lankford supports expanding exploration of gas and oil both domestically and on the outer continental shelf.<ref name=issues /> He opposes the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] regulating emission standards as he believes it hinders economic growth.<ref name=issues /> Lankford believes manure and other fertilizers should not be classified as pollutants or hazardous.<ref name="issues" /> Lankford rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, calling it a "myth."<ref>{{Cite web|last=McDonnell|first=Tim|title=Meet the Senate's new climate denial caucus|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/11/meet-new-climate-denier-caucus/|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=Mother Jones|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, he strongly criticized the National Science Foundation for funding projects that seek to increase reporting on climate change in weathercasts, saying it "is not science—it is propagandizing."<ref>{{Cite web|title=GOP senators challenge funding for global warming education program|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-senators-challenge-funding-global-warming-education-program-n885221|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomsen|first=Jacqueline|date=June 21, 2018|title=GOP senators call for probe of federal grants on climate change|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/393421-gop-senators-call-for-probe-into-federal-grants-on-climate-change|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=TheHill|language=en}}</ref> === Healthcare === Lankford opposes the Affordable Care Act and has voted to repeal it.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 27, 2017|title=Lankford: Obamacare repeal vote is not the final step on health care reform|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/lankford-obamacare-repeal-vote-not-final-step-health-care-reform|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=PBS NewsHour|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Snyder|first=Dan|date=July 28, 2017|title=Lankford "deeply disappointed" in failed health care vote|url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/lankford-deeply-disappointed-in-failed-health-care-vote|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=KOKH}}</ref> In a 2017 Facebook post, he claimed "Since 2013, a majority of states are seeing premiums and costs double, including states that expanded Medicaid".<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2017|title=Facebook Post By James Lankford|url=https://www.facebook.com/SenatorLankford/videos/1467923893269928|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 25, 2020|website=Facebook|language=en-US}}</ref> Lankford has stated his belief that federally funded health insurance is unconstitutional and that he will oppose any and all moves for a federal healthcare system.<ref name="issues" /> He supported an initiative to allow Medicare choice and institute budget cuts.<ref name="issues" /> === Abortion === Lankford opposes abortion.<ref name=issues /> He believes Congress should recognize life at the moment of fertilization.<ref name=issues /> He opposes any federally funded programs that allow for abortion, as well as [[Planned Parenthood]] and other similar groups.<ref name=issues /> === LGBT rights === Lankford has largely opposed legislation promoting LGBT rights. He opposes [[same-sex marriage]]. In the early days of his 2010 campaign for the House of Representatives, Lankford disparaged the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], which expanded [[hate crime]] legislation to include greater penalties for hate crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation or race.<ref name="ThinkProgress">{{cite web|url=https://thinkprogress.org/what-the-oklahoma-congressman-who-just-announced-a-senate-campaign-thinks-about-lgbt-americans-fcf71ea38f20/|title=What The Oklahoma Congressman Who Just Announced A Senate Campaign Thinks About LGBT Americans|publisher=ThinkProgress|date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> Lankford supported [[Oklahoma Question 711]], a statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and [[civil union]]s that passed in 2004 with 75% of the vote and remained law until it was challenged in court and struck down by a federal judge as unconstitutional in 2014. Lankford lambasted the decision, saying that "marriage is a state issue and Oklahoma has spoken."<ref name="ThinkProgress"/> He also endorsed the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] and condemned the 2013 [[United States v. Windsor|Supreme Court decision]] striking down parts of the law. Lankford has defended businesses and individuals opposing LGBT rights, including [[Chick-fil-A]] in the wake of its [[Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy|denunciation]] over donations to groups opposing same-sex marriage, and [[Phil Robertson]] after he was suspended from ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' in 2013 following [[Phil Robertson#Controversies|comments]] regarded as anti-LGBT and racist. Lankford attacked [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] for suspending Robertson, writing that Robertson "should be able to speak his views without fear of being silenced."<ref name="ThinkProgress"/> In 2012, five days after President [[Barack Obama]] announced his support for same-sex marriage, the first sitting U.S. president to do so, Lankford told a ''[[ThinkProgress]]'' interviewer that he believed homosexuality is a choice and that employers should be allowed to terminate workers for their sexual orientation: "I think it's a choice issue." After LGBT advocates condemned his statements, Lankford defended himself on [[KOTV-DT|local television]], reiterating his view that homosexuality is a choice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/james-lankford-sexual-orientation-discrimination_n_1514559.html|title=James Lankford, GOP Rep, Opposes Laws Against Gay Employee Discrimination|publisher=HuffPost|date=May 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thinkprogress.org/gop-rep-lankford-explains-why-it-should-be-legal-to-fire-someone-for-being-gay-its-a-choice-issue-cf885c141ca6/|title=GOP Rep. Lankford Explains Why It Should Be Legal To Fire Someone For Being Gay: 'It's A Choice Issue'|publisher=ThinkProgress|date=May 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newson6.com/story/18424646/oklahoma-rep-james-lankford-under-fire-for-comments-on-sexual-orientation|title=Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford Under Fire For Comments On Sexual Orientation|publisher=KOTV-DT|date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> After the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] designated the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] an [[List of organizations designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as hate groups#Anti-LGBT|anti-LGBT hate group]], Lankford criticized the designation and defended the ADF, which had described same-sex marriage as a threat to "healthy, free and stable society."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/2018/11/16/antigay-senator-politicians-obligated-proselytize|title=Antigay Senator: Politicians Obligated to Proselytize|publisher=Advocate|date=November 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsok.com/article/5558398/lankford-says-group-opposed-to-same-sex-marriage-is-unfairly-labeled|title=Lankford says group opposed to same-sex marriage is unfairly labeled|publisher=NewsOK|date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> The [[Human Rights Campaign]], the largest organization advocating for [[LGBT rights in the United States]], included Lankford in its 2016 "Congressional Hall of Shame" along with Senators [[Mike Lee (American politician)|Mike Lee]] and [[Ted Cruz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-releases-congressional-hall-of-shame|title=HRC Releases Congressional Hall of Shame|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|date=October 8, 2016}}</ref> === Human rights === In August 2018, Lankford, [[Marco Rubio]] and 15 other lawmakers urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against [[Communist Party of China|Chinese officials]] responsible for [[Xinjiang re-education camps|human rights abuses]] in western [[People's Republic of China|China]]'s [[Xinjiang]] region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairs Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Sanction Chinese Officials Complicit in Xinjiang Abuses |url=https://www.cecc.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairs-lead-bipartisan-letter-urging-administration-to-sanction-chinese |website=www.cecc.gov |publisher=Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)}}</ref> They wrote: "The detention of as many as a million or more Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in "political reeducation” centers or camps requires a tough, targeted, and global response."<ref>{{cite news |title=China rejects US lawmakers' sanctions call over Muslim camps |url=https://www.apnews.com/22e2fb42383a401ab9a401aa69f79257 |work=Associated Press |date=August 30, 2018}}</ref> === Race relations === In June 2020, Lankford criticized President Trump's decision to [[Donald Trump photo op at St. John's Church|walk to the St John's Episcopal Church]] near the White House, calling it "confrontational". In a BBC interview he said that racism passes on from one generation to the next, and he challenged families to invite a family of a different ethnicity to their home for a meal, to "allow friendship to develop where there has only been friendliness in the past".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w172x2yq3w0w4p7 BBC Newshour, June 5, 2020]</ref> === 2020 election === After [[Joe Biden]] won the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]] and Trump refused to concede, Lankford said he would intervene and ensure that Biden, the incoming president, would receive intelligence briefings. Shortly thereafter, he backtracked, said the media had twisted his words, and said "I'm not in a hurry, necessarily, to get Joe Biden these briefings."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sen. Lankford Says He's 'Not in a Hurry' to Allow Intelligence Briefings for Biden - WSJ.com|url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/latest-updates-biden-trump-election-2020/card/b7mDkTj2gloNPRrtn2ww|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=WSJ|language=en}}</ref> On January 2, 2021, Lankford joined a group of Republican senators attempting to overturn the results of the presidential election by announcing they would refuse to certify the votes of the electoral college.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Treene|first=Alayna|title=Multiple senators are planning to object to certifying the 2020 presidential election|url=https://www.axios.com/multiple-senators-oppose-certify-election-results-c5f0610c-91e0-4431-abbe-91b4d860dfd4.html|access-date=2021-01-02|website=Axios|language=en}}</ref> Lankford later apologized to his black constituents for his involvement in casting doubt on votes from predominantly black communities in several swing states.<ref>{{Cite web|last=World|first=Randy Krehbiel Tulsa|title=Sen. James Lankford apologizes to Black Tulsans for questioning presidential election results|url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/sen-james-lankford-apologizes-to-black-tulsans-for-questioning-presidential-election-results/article_6f0c2d1a-56bd-11eb-a6cb-bfb64a69f21e.html|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Tulsa World|language=en}}</ref> == Personal life == Lankford and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters.<ref name=OfficialBio>{{cite web|title=Biography Congressman James Lankford |access-date=November 13, 2013 |url=http://lankford.house.gov/about-me/full-biography |work=Lankford House website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112132523/http://lankford.house.gov/about-me/full-biography |archive-date=November 12, 2013 }}</ref> He attends Quail Springs Baptist Church, a [[Southern Baptist]] church in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]].<ref name=Baptist>{{cite news|title=Ten Southern Baptists sworn in as new reps.|url=http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34378|access-date=December 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226010629/http://www.bpnews.net/34378|archive-date=December 26, 2014 |newspaper=Baptist Press|date=January 5, 2011}}</ref> == Electoral history == === Oklahoma's 5th congressional district election, 2010 === {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Republican primary |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford''' | align=center | '''18,760''' | align=center | '''33.58''' |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''Kevin Calvey''' | align=center | '''18,147''' | align=center | '''32.48''' |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Mike Thompson | align=center | 10,008 | align=center | 17.91 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Shane Jett | align=center | 5,956 | align=center | 10.66 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Johnny Roy | align=center | 1,548 | align=center | 2.77 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Rick Flanigan | align=center | 762 | align=center | 1.36 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Harry Johnson | align=center | 686 | align=center | 1.23 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 55,867 ! align=center | 100 |} {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Republican primary runoff |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford''' | align=center | '''29,817''' | align=center | '''65.22''' |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Kevin Calvey | align=center | 15,902 | align=center | 34.78 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 45,719 ! align=center | 100 |} {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | General election |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford''' | align=center | '''123,236''' | align=center | '''62.52''' |- {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | Billy Coyle | align=center | 68,074 | align=center | 34.54 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Clark Duffe | align=center | 3,067 | align=center | 1.56 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Dave White | align=center | 2,728 | align=center | 1.38 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 197,105 ! align=center | 100 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] '''hold''' |} === Oklahoma's 5th congressional district election, 2012 === {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | General election |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford (Incumbent)''' | align=center | '''153,603''' | align=center | '''58.70''' |- {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | Tom Guild | align=center | 97,504 | align=center | 37.30 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Pat Martin | align=center | 5,394 | align=center | 2.10 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Robert Murphy | align=center | 5,176 | align=center | 2.00 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 261,677 ! align=center | 100 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] '''hold''' |} === U.S. Senate special election in Oklahoma, 2014 === {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Republican primary |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford''' | align=center | '''152,749''' | align=center | '''57.20''' |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | T. W. Shannon | align=center | 91,854 | align=center | 34.40 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Randy Brogdon | align=center | 12,934 | align=center | 4.80 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Kevin Crow | align=center | 2,828 | align=center | 1.10 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Andy Craig | align=center | 2,427 | align=center | 0.90 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Eric McCray | align=center | 2,272 | align=center | 0.90 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | Jason Weger | align=center | 1,794 | align=center | 0.70 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 266,858 ! align=center | 100 |} {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | General election |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | '''[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]''' | '''James Lankford''' | align=center | '''557,002''' | align=center | '''67.90''' |- {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | [[Constance N. Johnson|Connie Johnson]] | align=center | 237,923 | align=center | 29.00 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Mark T. Beard | align=center | 25,965 | align=center | 3.20 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 820,890 ! align=center | 100 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] '''hold''' |} === U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma, 2016 === {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | General election |- ! colspan=2 | Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | James Lankford (Incumbent) | align=center | 980,892 | align=center | 67.7 |- {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | Mike Workman | align=center | 355,911 | align=center | 24.58 |- {{party color|Libertarian Party (United States)}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] | Robert Murphy | align=center | 43,421 | align=center | 3.00 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent politician|Independent]] | Sean Braddy | align=center | 40,405 | align=center | 2.79 |- {{party color|Independent (politician)}} | [[Independent politician|Independent]] | Mark T. Beard | align=center | 27,418 | align=center | 1.89 |- ! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total ! align=center | 1,448,047 ! align=center | 100.00 |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] '''hold''' |} == References == {{reflist|30em}} == External links == * [https://lankford.senate.gov/ U.S. Senator James Lankford] official U.S. Senate website * [http://jameslankford.com/ James Lankford for U.S. Senate] * {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Oklahoma/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives/James_Lankford_%5BR-5%5D}} * {{CongLinks | congbio=L000575 | votesmart=124938 | fec=S4OK00232 | congress=james-lankford/2050 }} * {{C-SPAN}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Mary Fallin]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Oklahoma|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Oklahoma's 5th congressional district]]|years=2011–2015}} {{s-aft|after=[[Steve Russell (politician)|Steve Russell]]}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Tom Price (American politician)|Tom Price]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Steering and Policy Committees of the United States House of Representatives|House Republican Policy Committee]]|years=2013–2015}} {{s-aft|after=[[Luke Messer]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Tom Coburn]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[List of United States Senators from Oklahoma|U.S. Senator]] from [[Oklahoma]]<br />([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 3]])|years=[[United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, 2014|2014]], [[United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2016|2016]]}} {{s-inc|recent}} |- {{s-par|us-sen}} {{s-bef|before=[[Tom Coburn]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States Senators from Oklahoma|U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Oklahoma]]|years=2015–present|alongside=[[Jim Inhofe]]}} {{s-inc|rows=2}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Johnny Isakson]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics|Senate Ethics Committee]]|years=2019–present}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=[[Bill Cassidy]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States Senate|United States Senators by seniority]]|years=67th}} {{s-aft|after=[[Tom Cotton]]}} {{s-end}} {{USSenChairs}} {{United States Senators from Oklahoma}} {{Current U.S. Senators}} {{Current Oklahoma statewide political officials}} {{OK-FedRep}} {{OKRepresentatives}} {{USCongRep-start | congresses= 112th&ndash;present [[United States Congress]]es | state=[[Oklahoma]]}} {{USCongRep/OK/112}} {{USCongRep/OK/113}} {{USCongRep/OK/114}} {{USCongRep/OK/115}} {{USCongRep/OK/116}} {{USCongRep/OK/117}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lankford, James}} [[Category:1968 births]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma]] [[Category:Oklahoma Republicans]] [[Category:Politicians from Dallas]] [[Category:People from Edmond, Oklahoma]] [[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Category:Republican Party United States senators]] [[Category:Southern Baptists]] [[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]] [[Category:United States senators from Oklahoma]] [[Category:University of Texas at Austin College of Education alumni]] [[Category:Baptists from Oklahoma]]'