 News from the Radio Oklahoma News Network. I'm Dale Forbis. Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe has died at the age of 89. Inhofe, one of the country's leading Republicans. He served 36 years in Congress, more than any other person elected to federal office in state history. 28 of those years as a U.S. Senator. Inhofe was known as a strong supporter of conservative values. His political career started as Tulsa's mayor.