Jim Jordan (Ohio politician)

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For other people named "Jim Jordan" or "James Jordan", see James Jordan (disambiguation).
Jim Jordan
Jimjordan.jpg
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 (1964-02-17) February 17, 1964 (age 49)
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, Tiffin, and Elyria.

Contents

Early life, education and career [edit]

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.[1] 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 [edit]

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.[2]

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 [edit]

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%.[3]

Jordan has chaired the Republican Study Committee since 2011. He was elected over Representative Louie Gohmert, who was backed by several tea party groups.[4] Jordan reportedly turned down a position on the Appropriations Committee.[5]

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

Jordan received a vote for Speaker on the first day of the 113th Congress from fellow conservative Tim Huelskamp of Kansas.

Committee assignments [edit]

Political positions [edit]

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.[6]

In Congress, Jordan is among the most conservative Republicans, earning a perfect score from the American Conservative Union.[7] He has voted consistently for anti-abortion legislation[8] and was endorsed by Ohio Right to Life in 2012. [9] During the 112th Congress he was one of 40 "staunch" members of the Republican Study Committee who frequently voted against Republican party leadership and vocally expressed displeasure with House bills.[10]

Jordan has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) program, advocating for its shut-down.[11]

Jordan has supported the continued production and upgrades of M1 Abrams tanks in his district over the direct objections of the Pentagon and criticism regarding the redundancy of further production.[12] The Pentagon wants to put a hold on tank upgrades at a Lima plant until a new version is ready, possibly in 2017, in order to save $3 billion. The plant supports approximately 800 jobs in the district.[13][14]

Political campaigns [edit]

2008 [edit]

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

Jordan won against Democratic nominee Mike Carroll.

2010 [edit]

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 [edit]

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2012#District 4

Jordan will be running against Democrat Jim Slone, and Libertarian Chris Calla in the general election.

Electoral history [edit]

Ohio's 4th congressional district: Results 2006–2010[15]
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 [edit]

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

References [edit]

  1. ^ "55th NCAA Wrestling Tournament: 1985". Wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09. 
  2. ^ "ohiotaxpayers.com". ohiotaxpayers.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  3. ^ "U.S. Congress: November 4, 2008". Sos.state.oh.us. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  4. ^ Sabrina Eaton/The Plain Dealer (2010-12-08). "Rep. Jim Jordan selected to chair Republican Study Committee". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2011-07-17. 
  5. ^ "Appropriations panel loses its luster - Simmi Aujla and Richard E. Cohen". Politico.Com. Retrieved 2011-07-17. 
  6. ^ Drewblade, James. "The Blade ~ Toledo Ohio". toledoblade.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  7. ^ [1][dead link]
  8. ^ "Jordan, Jim". ProgressivePunch. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  9. ^ "Ohio Right to Life". Ohiovotesforlife.org. Retrieved 2012-11-09. 
  10. ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (2012-03-16). "G.O.P. Freshmen Not as Defiant as Reputation Suggests". New York Times. 
  11. ^ "Cleaning Up the Mortgage Mess". The Wall Street Journal. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2010-11-03. 
  12. ^ Lardner, Richard (April 28, 2013). "Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists". Associated Press. Retrieved April 28, 2013. 
  13. ^ Sweigart, Josh (August 18, 2012). "Congress pushes for weapons Pentagon didn’t want". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2012. 
  14. ^ "Downsizing the military". The Week. September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2012. 
  15. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2009-09-17. 

External links [edit]

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