{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-passing-wes-watkins", "Cole Mourns the Passing of Wes Watkins", "2025-03-27", "2025", "2025-03", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after hearing about the passing of Wes Watkins:\n\n\u201cI was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of my dear friend and distinguished public servant, Wes Watkins of Stillwater, Oklahoma.\n\n\u201cWes was a remarkable man and had a brilliant career in Congress, serving on two of the House\u2019s most powerful committees, the Appropriations Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Amazingly, he did so first as a Democrat (1977-1991) and then as a Republican (1997-2003). Wes also served as a State Senator in the 1970s and twice ran for Governor of Oklahoma (1990 and 1994), first as a Democrat and then as an Independent.\n\n\u201cEven though they ran against one another in a three-way race, former Governor Frank Keating nominated Wes for a cabinet level position in his first Administration. However, the Democratic dominated State Senate of that era refused to confirm his nomination \u2013 but Wes had the last laugh the next year when he reclaimed his old congressional seat as a Republican.\n\n\u201cWes was the only person in Oklahoma history to carry a congressional seat as a Democrat, as an Independent in his 1994 Governor\u2019s race, and finally as a Republican. No politician was ever as popular in the historic Third District, also known as Little Dixie. Wes Watkins\u2019 remarkable electoral journey both symbolized and propelled Oklahoma\u2019s own political transformation.\n\n\u201cI was privileged to serve as Wes\u2019 lead political consultant in his final three congressional campaigns. I never worked for a more popular figure in a congressional district or a harder working man or a more energetic and effective campaigner than Wes. He was an institution in southeast Oklahoma, serving his constituents ably, honorably, and tirelessly throughout his political career.\n\n\u201cWes Watkins may have changed political parties, but he never changed his political principles. He also never lost his passion for public service or let down the people he worked so hard to represent.\n\n\u201cWes Watkins loved three things above all else \u2013 his family, the people of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State University. He served all of them with love, dedication, and genuine distinction.\n\n\u201cThe soulmate and cherished partner of Wes Watkins\u2019 life was his beloved wife, Lou. You literally cannot think of one without thinking of the other. Their marriage was truly a match made in heaven.\n\n\u201cI will miss my friend Wes. The people of Oklahoma will miss him more. As one of his television ads once claimed, there simply was \u2018no better man.\u2019\n\n\u201cI extend my deepest sympathies to Lou, Wes\u2019 children and grandchildren, and to all of Wes Watkins\u2019 countless friends, former staffers, and admirers. Oklahoma has lost one of its favorite sons, most distinguished public servants, and ardent champions,\u201d said Congressman Cole.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-passing-wes-watkins"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.871777068823576, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}