U.S. House Seat: Who Is Rep. Tom Cole?

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was trying to fend off a primary challenge from a businessman who has poured millions of his own dollars into the race.

Tom Cole has a lot of experience on his side for this race. He has held the 4th congressional district since 2003.

Cole is from Moore and brings a lot of name recognition to the table. He also serves on several committees.

Incumbents have an advantage in elections winning more than 90 percent of the time according to 2020 election data.

Cole, a longtime GOP political strategist in Oklahoma before his election to Congress in 2002, has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. But Bondar’s money has allowed him to blanket the television airwaves and social media with a barrage of ads touting his candidacy.

Cole typically faces only token opposition but records show he has spent more than $3.1 million so far on the primary. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in a primary runoff Aug. 27.