Cole Mourns the Passing of Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after former Oklahoma Governor and longtime politician George Nigh passed away at the age of 98:

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of an Oklahoma political legend, former Governor George Nigh. Nigh served as Governor of Oklahoma on four separate occasions, two short stints when others left the office early followed by two full terms from 1979-1987. He also served four complete terms as Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor, several terms in the state House of Representatives, and five years as President of the University of Central Oklahoma in the 1990’s. 

“A talented public speaker, Nigh was a gifted politician, a gregarious and tireless campaigner, and an upbeat and optimistic leader. It was impossible not to like George Nigh and respect him as a person. Indeed, he may well have been the most personally popular political figure in Oklahoma history. He did not win every race he ran, but he was always a gracious loser and, more often, a magnanimous winner — two qualities that Oklahoma voters and political opponents appreciated. 

“Nigh had a quick and easy wit. When I told him on one occasion that he had been the speaker at both my high school graduation in 1967 and the ceremony where I was awarded my Ph.D in 1984, he immediately quipped, ‘I hope I didn’t use the same jokes twice!’ Then, when I reminded him that I had been his opponent’s deputy campaign manager in 1982 — an election in which my candidate became the only Republican gubernatorial nominee in Oklahoma history to lose all 77 counties — Nigh had a quick retort. ‘At least I helped you set a record that no one can break,’ he said with a grin.

“George Nigh and I belonged to different political parties and had some sharp political disagreements over the years. However, I always respected his personal decency, his sunny disposition, his commitment to public service, and his deep love for the people and the state of Oklahoma. I join his many friends and admirers in mourning the passing of a good man and a great Oklahoman,” said Congressman Cole.

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