Jon Godfread

Jonathan Godfread is an American politician from the state of North Dakota. A member of the Republican Party, he is the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, and has served in the role since 2016.

Jon Godfread
Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2017
Governor	Doug Burgum
Preceded by	Adam Hamm
Personal details
Born	1981/1982 (age 38–39)[1]
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Northern Iowa (BA) University of North Dakota (JD, MBA)

Early life and career

Godfread is from Grand Forks, North Dakota.[2] He attended Red River High School, and played for the school's basketball team.[3] He graduated in 2000. He committed to attend the University of Utah to play college basketball for the Utah Utes men's basketball team.[4] After taking a redshirt for Utah in his freshman year,[5] he decided to transfer to the University of Northern Iowa.[6][7] He played college basketball for the Northern Iowa Panthers, who qualified for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004 and 2005.[8] Godfread graduated from Northern Iowa in 2005. After his college basketball career, Godfread played professionally in Germany for the Ehingen Urspring of ProA for one season.[2][9]

Godfread returned to the United States and enrolled at the University of North Dakota, where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor in 2011.[2] He worked for Alerus Financial and served as vice president for the Greater North Dakota Chamber.[10]

Political career

After the incumbent North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, Adam Hamm, announced he would not seek reelection in 2016, Godfread announced his candidacy to succeed him.[10] Godfread was elected state insurance commissioner, defeating Democrat Ruth Buffalo.[2] As Insurance Commissioner, Godfread supported Wayne Stenehjem's decision to join California v. Texas, opposing the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.[11] Godfread was reelected in 2020 unopposed.[2][12]

Personal life

Godfread and Amanda (née Hvidsten) became engaged in 2011.[13] They married and have three children.[14]

After Guinness World Records certified Robert Cornegy as the World's Tallest Politician in January 2019, Godfread challenged the record.[15] In November, Guinness World Records certified Godfread as the World's Tallest Politician at 210.76 centimetres (6 ft 10.98 in), surpassing Cornegy, who was measured at 209.6 centimetres (6 ft 10.5 in).[8]

References

2. "North Dakota insurance commissioner will seek reelection". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
3. "Utes land a big man from North Dakota - Deseret News". Deseret.com. September 25, 1999. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
4. "As campaign begins, Jon Godfread seeks to bring attention to Insurance Commissioner's Office". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
5. "Godfread to Leave Ute Basketball". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 8, 2001. p. D2. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
6. Brown, Rick (May 4, 2001). "UNI gets transfer from Utah". The Des Moines Register. p. 1C. Retrieved May 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
7. Brown, Rick (November 7, 2002). "Inside game will be in for new-look UNI men". The Des Moines Register. p. 1C. Retrieved May 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
8. Schramm, Jill (November 13, 2019). "ND Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread listed as World's Tallest Politician: Insurance commissioner listed in Guinness records". Minot Daily News. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
9. Brown, Rick (December 4, 2007). "A Courtside Seat". The Des Moines Register. p. 2C. Retrieved May 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
10. Nick Smith (May 10, 2020). "Godfread launches bid for insurance commissioner | Government, Politics and Elections". bismarcktribune.com. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
11. "North Dakota insurance commissioner backs attorney general in overturning Affordable Care Act". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
12. "Statewide Election Results". North Dakota Secretary of State. November 12, 2020.
13. "ENGAGEMENT: Hvidsten-Godfread". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
14. "Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread announces reelection bid". KFYR-TV. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
15. "Politician's claim as tallest might be a stretch". Associated Press. Retrieved May 14, 2020.