Jim Jordan (Ohio politician)

For other people named "Jim Jordan" or "James Jordan", see James Jordan (disambiguation).

Jim Jordan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Mike Oxley
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 12th district
In office January 3, 2001-December 31, 2006
Preceded by	Robert R. Cupp
Succeeded by	Keith Faber
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 85th district
In office January 3, 1995-December 31, 2000
Preceded by	Jim Davis
Succeeded by	Derrick Seaver
Personal details
Born	February 17, 1964 (1964-02-17) Urbana, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Polly Jordan
Residence	Urbana, Ohio
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison Ohio State University Capital University Law School
Occupation	Politician
Religion	Evangelical Christian

James Daniel "Jim" Jordan (born February 17, 1964, Urbana, Ohio) is the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is located in the north-central portion of the state and includes Lima, Findlay, Mansfield, Kenton, Sidney and Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Early life, education and career

Jordan was born and raised in Champaign County, Ohio and attended Graham High School, graduating in 1982. While at Graham, he was a four-time state wrestling champion with a career record of 150-1. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1986, obtaining his bachelor's degree in Economics and was a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion. In the 1985 NCAA championship match, Jordan defeated future two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion, John Smith. He later earned a master's degree in Education from the Ohio State University in Columbus, and in 2001 obtained his law degree from Capital University, also in Columbus. Before entering politics, he was an assistant wrestling coach with the Ohio State University wrestling program.

Ohio Legislature

Jordan was first elected to the Ohio General Assembly in November 1994 and went on to serve three terms as State Representative of the 85th Ohio House District. In 1996, he offered an amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill that limited the amount of time that an able-bodied individual could remain on welfare. He also created the Income Tax Reduction Fund, which required that any state revenue surpluses be used to lower the income tax burden on Ohioans rather than be used for further government spending.

In 2000, he won a seat in the Ohio Senate by defeating independent candidate Jack Kaffenberger by a vote of 88 percent to 12 percent. In 2004, Jordan defeated Kaffenberger again, this time by a smaller margin of 79 percent to 21 percent. In May 2006, Jordan won the Republican primary race for the 4th Congressional district of Ohio. He also won a 100% lifetime rating from the Ohio Taxpayers Association, which endorsed Jordan in his bid for Congress.

Jordan was named Watchdog of the Treasury (1996, 2000, 2004), Outstanding Legislator Award (2004), Outstanding Freshman Legislator (1996), Friend of the Taxpayer (1997), and Pro-Life Legislator of the Year (1998) by the United Conservatives of Ohio, the Defender of Life award from the Ohio Right to Life Society, and the 2001 Leadership in Government Award from the Ohio Roundtable and Freedom Forum. Additionally, Senate President Bill Harris appointed Jordan to be the chairman of the Senate Judiciary on Criminal Justice Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Jordan won the Republican primary for the 4th District in 2006 after 26-year incumbent Mike Oxley announced his retirement. He defeated Democrat Rick Siferd in the general election, 60% to 40%. Despite the strong anti-Republican mood in Ohio that year, Jordan benefited from the district's heavy Republican tilt. The 4th has long been considered the most Republican district in Ohio. He was reelected in 2008, defeating Democrat Mike Carroll 65% to 35%.

Jordan will chair the Republican Study Committee starting in 2011. He was elected over Representative Louie Gohmert, who was backed by several tea party groups. Jordan reportedly turned down a position on the Appropriations Committee.

Jordan has been the leading Republican critic of Speaker John Boehner's plan to raise the debt ceiling.

Committee assignments

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on Domestic Policy
  • Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs

Political positions

While serving in the Ohio Senate, he supported the Tax and Expenditure Limitation Amendment, a state constitutional amendment that would require a vote of the people in order to raise taxes or increase spending over certain limits.

In Congress, Jordan is among the most conservative Republicans, earning a perfect score from the American Conservative Union. He has voted consistently for anti-abortion legislation.

Jordan has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) program, advocating for its shut-down.

Political campaigns

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2008#District 4

Jordan won against Democratic nominee Mike Carroll.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2010#District 4

Jordan defeated Democrat Doug Litt and Libertarian Donald Kissick in the general election.

2012

See also: United States Senate election in Ohio, 2012

Jordan has recently been the subject of speculation about a run for the Senate against incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown. On December 3, 2010, the Dayton Daily News reported that Jordan had almost $850,000 on hand to transfer over to a potential Senatorial campaign. Jordan has stated that he is "leaning heavily against" running for Senate in 2012.

Electoral history

Ohio's 4th congressional district: Results 2006–2010

Year		Republican	Votes	Pct		Democrat	Votes	Pct		Other	Votes	Pct
2006		Jim Jordan	129,958	60%		Richard E. Siferd	86,678	40%
2008		Jim Jordan	186,154	65%		Mike Carroll	99,499	35%
2010		Jim Jordan	143,544	72%		Doug Litt	49,380	25%		Donald Kissick	7,499	4%

Personal life

Jordan and his wife Polly live with their four children near Urbana in central Champaign County.

External links

• U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan official U.S. House site
• Profile from the U.S. Department of State (UNESCO)
• Jim Jordan for Congress official campaign site
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Congressional profile at GovTrack
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at the National Institute for Money in State Politics
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Advocacy group ratings from The Hill

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Mike Oxley	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 4th congressional district 2007–present	Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by Hank Johnson D-Georgia	United States Representatives by seniority 275th	Succeeded by Doug Lamborn R-Colorado
Party political offices
Preceded by Tom Price Georgia	Chairman of the Republican Study Committee 2011–present	Succeeded by Incumbent