Second Former Republican State Senator Shot Dead at Home


Just two days after former Republican Arkansas state Senator Linda Collins-Smith, 57, was found dead from a gunshot wound inside her home, former state Senator Jonathan Nichols, 53, was found dead inside his home – also from a gunshot wound.

Jonathan Nichols’ body was found in his Norman home, and a gun was on a table across the room, law enforcement sources told The Oklahoman.

Norman police responded to a report of an individual with a gunshot wound at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday to the 3900 block of Annalane Drive, according to Norman police. Once inside the residence, officers found Nichols, 53, deceased.

Nichols, a Republican, represented Norman in the Oklahoma Senate from 2000 to 2012. He was serving as a senior policy advisEr to House Speaker Charles McCall at the time of his death.

“I am shocked and incredibly saddened to learn that Jonathan has passed away,” McCall said in a statement. “He was a valuable member of my staff and a friend. Jonathan was a very proud man, but he served humbly.”

McCall said Nichols joined his staff in November. Nichols also previously served as chief of staff for former Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman and his successor, Pro Tem Mike Schulz.

Arkansas and Oklahoma are adjacent states with a distance of fewer than 500 miles between Pocahontas, Ark., and Norman, Okla., where the deaths occurred.

Source: The Oklahoman



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  1. David WallingSr

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