N.D. Insurance Commissioner Sets Guinness World Record as Tallest Male Politician

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has been named World’s Tallest Politician (male) by Guinness World Records.

Godfread’s official height is 6 feet, 10 inches (210.767 centimeters) tall as verified in Bismarck on Oct. 4, 2019, the North Dakota Insurance Department reported.

“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 media release.

Godfread visited his family physician’s office to be measured on three separate occasions throughout the day on Oct. 4. He was required to be measured in the morning, around noon and in the evening. Each time, Godfread was measured both standing and lying down. The process was documented with video and photographs, per the requirements of Guinness World Records.

The record for World’s Tallest Politician (male) was previously held by Brooklyn, New York, city councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. Cornegy measures in at 6 feet, 10 inches (209.6 centimeters). Cornegy played college basketball at St. John’s University during the 1984-85 season when the team reached the Final Four.

Godfread also played college basketball but at Northern Iowa University from 2001-05, reaching the NCAA tournament in both 2004 and 2005.

“Given that we were once both college athletes, I’d be happy to play a little one on one with Councilman Cornegy if it means celebrating how unique we all are,” Godfread said. “Although, with winter beginning to set in in North Dakota, I’d be happy to give the Councilman the homecourt advantage.”

Source: North Dakota Insurance Department