Jonathan Godfread (born 1981/1982)[1] 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.
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]
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 unopposed in in 2020[2][12] and 2024.[13]
Godfread and Amanda (née Hvidsten) became engaged in 2011.[14] They married and have three children.[15]
After Guinness World Records certified Robert Cornegy as the World's Tallest Politician in January 2019, Godfread challenged the record.[16] 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]
