Jon Godfread

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Jon Godfread
Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
GovernorDoug Burgum
Preceded byAdam Hamm
Personal details
Born1981/1982 (age 38–39)[1]
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Northern Iowa (BA)
University of North Dakota (JD, MBA)

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.

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[]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "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. ^ Jump up to: a b 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. ^ Jump up to: a b 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.
Political offices
Preceded by
Adam Hamm 		Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota
2017–present 		Incumbent
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