Jonathan Nichols (politician)

Born in Bad Hersfeld, Germany,[1] Nichols lived in Norman, Oklahoma. He graduated from Northeastern State University and received his law degree from University of Oklahoma in 1993.[2][3]

Nichols was an assistant district attorney in Cleveland County for over six years. As an assistant district attorney, Nichols represented the State of Oklahoma in the prosecution of Kevin Ott.[4] Following the trial, Ott's sentence of life without parole for possession of 3.5 ounces of methamphetamine has been the subject of several national news articles[5][6][7] and an award winning documentary produced by actors Brad Pitt, and Danny Glover, and musical artist John Legend.[8][9] Nichols left the district attorney's office to pursue a career in politics. He was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in November 2000. He was re-elected two times, in 2004 and 2008, and became chairman of the Rules Committee of the Oklahoma Senate. He left office in 2013 when term limits prevented him from seeking a fourth term in office. Between 2016 and 2018, he served as vice president of government relations at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his death, he worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall.[10][11]

Nichols was married and had two daughters.[10] On June 5, 2019, Nichols was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound at his home in Norman. There was no foul play reported in his death, though the gun was found across the room on a table.[12][13]

In 2001, he received the Most Courageous Legislator Award from the Higher Education Council of Oklahoma.[14]