Jon Godfread

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 in 2020 unopposed.[2][12]

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]