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Life Health > Health Insurance > Your Practice

North Dakota Commissioner Might Be the World's Tallest Politician

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Jon Godfread, the North Dakota insurance commissioner, might the “world’s tallest male politician.”

Godfread announced Tuesday that Guinness World Records has certified him as having that status, based on measurements recorded in Bismarck, North Dakota, Oct. 4.

(Related: Republican Insurance Commissioner Proposes ACA Patch)

Guinness World Records states on its website that Godfread is 6 feet 10 inches tall, or 210.767 centimers tall.

Godfread, a Republican, has been North Dakota’s commissioner since 2016.

He played basketball at the University of Northern Iowa, worked for Great North Dakota Chamber, and now serves chair of the Innovation and Technology Task Force at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

“He decided to break this record to bring awareness to the position of Insurance Commissioner, and to show that being different is fun,” according to Guinness World Records.

The record for World’s Tallest Politician (male) was previously held by Robert Cornegy Jr., who serves on the city council in Brooklyn, New York, and is about 6 feet, 10 inches tall, but only 209.6 centimeters tall, according to Godfread.

Godfread said his family physician’s office verified his height, both when he was standing and when he was lying down, and documented the measuring process with video and photographs.

“This was a fun opportunity to bring some good news back to North Dakota, and of course, it’s an honor to be recognized as a world record holder,” Godfread said in a statement about getting the record. “This is also a great opportunity to highlight the work we do at the North Dakota Insurance Department and remind consumers that we are a consumer protection agency serving the people of North Dakota.”

Height Controversy

For many records, aspiring record holders bring themselves to the attention of the Guinness World Records staff.

A Guinness World Records site commenter said he believes Glen Jacobs, a former wrestling star, is the world’s tallest politician. The commenter said Jacobs, the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, is 7 feet tall.

Jacobs was described as being 7 feet tall when he was wrestling, but he is actually 6 feet 8 inches tall, according to the Knox News.

— Read Voters Choose Insurance Commissioners, on ThinkAdvisor.

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NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.