Former Oklahoma Governor David Boren, who gained recognition in the 1970s as one of the youngest governors in the U.S. at the age of 33, passed away at 83. His death, which occurred early Thursday at his home close to Newcastle, was attributed to complications related to diabetes, as stated by Bob Burke, a longstanding family friend.
Boren, who followed in the political footsteps of his father, a Democratic congressman, played a crucial role in the significant reduction of government size in Oklahoma. Over his extensive career in legislative positions and later as a university leader, he emerged as one of the most impactful political figures in the state. His son, Dan Boren, also continued the family legacy, serving four terms as an Oklahoma congressman.
In 2019, Boren’s association with the University of Oklahoma, where he was president for 24 years, came to an end amid allegations of sexual harassment against male staff members. Boren consistently denied any misconduct, and the claims did not lead to legal charges or civil lawsuits.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt expressed condolences on Boren’s passing, stating, “Today, I join Oklahomans in mourning the loss of former Governor David Boren, who dedicated his life to serving our state.” Stitt ordered flags at state properties to be lowered to half-staff in Boren’s honor, emphasizing the love Boren had for Oklahoma in all his endeavors.
Boren served as a U.S. senator from 1979 until 1994, holding the longest tenure as the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during that period. Following his time in the Senate, he transitioned to head the University of Oklahoma until his retirement in 2018. His son, Dan Boren, remarked on his father’s commitment to public service, reflecting on the many heartfelt stories shared by those he had positively impacted throughout his life.
The allegations against Boren resurfaced a year after he left the university when a former student claimed inappropriate physical advances by him a decade earlier, claims that Boren strongly refuted. An investigation conducted by the Jones Day law firm into these misconduct allegations was never made public, and the controversy forced Boren to withdraw from public life.
Boren’s political career began in the Oklahoma House, where he served four terms before becoming governor in 1974, making him the youngest governor in the nation at that time. His campaign was marked by his intent to reform state governance, encapsulated in his “Boren Broom Brigade,” which aimed to remove the entrenched political establishment.
As a U.S. senator, Boren cultivated important relationships with key figures in the intelligence community, including former CIA director George Tenet. Notably, on September 11, 2001, Boren was having breakfast with Tenet when the World Trade Center was attacked, a day they had both discussed as a potential scenario in their frequent talks about international terrorist threats.
Boren also played a significant role in gaining bipartisan support against South Africa’s apartheid regime leading up to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990. The memorable moment when Mandela attended an ABC News town hall where Boren advocated against apartheid was noted, with Mandela praising Boren for articulating the necessary truths about the issues facing South Africa.
In addition to his efforts on international policies, Boren was engaged in influencing U.S. actions in Central America during the conflicts in Nicaragua, where he acted as an informal emissary on behalf of President George H.W. Bush. Reflecting on these collaborations, Boren acknowledged the benefits of crossing party lines in achieving consensus.
Born on April 21, 1941, David Lyle Boren was the son of U.S. Congressman Lyle Hagler Boren and Christine McKown. Throughout his life, he was married twice: first to Janna Little Robbins, who has since passed, and then to Molly Shi Boren, a former judge and educator renowned in the Oklahoma Arts community.
Boren faced health challenges, including a minor stroke during a statue dedication in April 2018, which necessitated a hospital stay. In March 2017, he also underwent heart bypass surgery. He is survived by two children, including Dan Boren, who is currently serving as the secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.
