Paulette Jordan

Paulette Jordan
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
from the 5th district
Seat A
In office
December 1, 2014 – February 14, 2018
Preceded by Cindy Agidius
Succeeded by Margie Gannon
Personal details
Born (1979-12-07) December 7, 1979
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Education University of Washington (BA)

Paulette Jordan (born December 7, 1979)[1] is an American politician who had served in the Idaho House of Representatives as a member of the Idaho Democratic Party from December 1, 2014 until February 14, 2018.[2][3][4] She previously served on the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council, its sovereign government. During her final term she was the only Democrat serving in the Idaho Legislature from North Idaho. She is the populist[5] Democratic nominee for Governor of Idaho in the 2018 election against incumbent Lieutenant Governor Brad Little.

Early life, education and career

Paulette Jordan was born into a ranching and farming family in northern Idaho. She is an enrolled citizen of the federally recognized Coeur d'Alene tribe, which is based on the reservation of the same name. She also has Sinkiuse (known as the Moses–Columbia Band of the Colville Confederacy), Nez Perce, and Yakama–Palus ancestry.[6] She is a descendant of the 19th century chiefs Moses and Kamiakin.[7][8]

Jordan attended Gonzaga Preparatory School. She was offered a scholarship to play college basketball at Washington State University but instead accepted an academic scholarship to the University of Washington.[7] While in Seattle, she held a variety of leadership roles in community activism and became involved in local city politics, also serving as an Advisor to the President of the University.[9]

After returning to the reservation, Jordan ran for and was elected to the Tribal Council. From this position, she became the co-chair of gaming for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), an organization founded in 1953 so that tribes could act in concert on mutual interests.[6] She is also a Senior Executive Board representative, Finance Chair and Energy Initiative Chair for the National Indian Gaming Association, serving her third consecutive term.[9] She also owns timber and farmland in northern Idaho.[10]

Idaho House of Representatives

When long-time legislator Tom Trail, of Moscow, decided to seek a seat on the Latah County Commission after redistricting in 2012, Jordan became a candidate for the legislature. In the general election, she was defeated by Republican Cindy Agidius, of Moscow, with the narrowest margin of any legislative race in 2012. In 2014 she ran again for the same seat and defeated Agidius in the general election. She ran for reelection in 2016 and defeated Carl Berglund, of Kendrick.

Committee assignments

Jordan served on the Business Committee, the Energy, Environment and Technology Committee, and State Affairs Committee from 2015-2018. In addition, Jordan was selected to serve on Legislative Council, which oversees management of the Capitol and permanent staff.[6]

Gubernatorial campaign

Jordan is the Democratic nominee for Governor of Idaho in the 2018 election, her main opponent in the general election being incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, Brad Little.[11]

In the primary she faced[12] previous 2014 nominee A.J. Balukoff and Peter Dill in what was the most competitive Democratic primary since 1998;[13] she announced her candidacy on December 7, 2017.[14][15] Eschewing corporate donations, she received most of her funding from Native American tribes.[16]

Jordan describes herself as "very progressive," supporting Medicaid expansion[17] and clean energy. Jordan is personally pro-life, but says she supports abortion politically. She also holds a conservative view on gun control[18]. She differed from her (fellow Democrat) gubernatorial opponent A.J. Balukoff in their April 22, 2018 televised debate primarily in her support for the decriminalizing of marijuana possession and the legalization of medical marijuana (cannabidiol). In early May it was announced that she and Kristin Collum, who is running for Lt. Governor, were a (de facto) joint ticket,[19] and she received the endorsement of the Idaho Statesman in a split decision.[20]

The Nation has deemed her the new face of rural politics in America, given the populist and progressive history of Idaho,[21] and the split Democratic party establishment has united behind her[22] after the state's most competitive Democratic primary in decades.[23]

In June 2018 Jordan remarked at the Idaho Democratic Party convention at College of Idaho in Caldwell that "We have begun the progressive movement across the country that people are believing in... The precipice of this movement begins in Idaho."[24] Furthermore, in August 2018 the New York Times accounted her as one of four candidates who could become the first female governors of their states (the others being Janet Mills of Maine, Stacey Abrams of Georgia, and Kristi Noem of South Dakota).[25]

As of August 2018 according to a poll her opponent's lead was at only 8%, with Medicaid expansion being a significant issue;[26] the statewide collapse of the Division of Motor Vehicles's information technology on the vendor side (namely that of the Dutch corporation Gemalto) become a significant issue in September, with Jordan inveigling against the $10.8M contract as a "... boondoggle that is failing our state." Gov. Otter said that fixing the driver's license system is one of the state's highest priorities.[27][28]

Despite several missteps early in her grassroots campaign, due in part to high staff turnover (including the resignation of her campaign field director and volunteer treasurer one week before the primary),[29] political pundits believe that that the raw material for an upset win in deeply Republican Idaho does exist, and warn against underestimating her.[16]

Campaign leadership shakeup

On September 14, a little less than two months before election day, three high echelon staffers simultaneously resigned, namely her campaign manager, communications director, and event coordinator, with the latter stating simply in her resignation letter “I’m so embarrassed and ashamed. Bye.” Furthermore, all had signed non-disclosure agreements, a highly unusual practice in Idaho politics. (Michel Rosenow, the former campaign manager, a political consultant from Minnesota, and his staff had been with the campaign since July 2018.) Former Idaho Sen. John Peavey, Jordan’s campaign treasurer, said that he has not resigned and that he has no information on the resignations,[30] and the resignations were tendered whilst Jordan herself was in the Los Angeles area for a major fund raiser.[31] On that Friday afternoon the campaign headquarters was locked for at least an hour, to the frustration of new volunteers. [32]

On Saturday afternoon the campaign released a statement averring that a "leadership transition" had been in progress for a month. Jordan stated that "Jordan “believes that she needs a campaign manager who understands Idaho, its citizens and needs," but his replacement was not named, nor was it stated whether he or she was from Idaho.[33] It was also announced that four staffers had been hired before the resignations, with more hires to come. [34]

On September 20, however, it was revealed that Rosenow had resigned over the campaign's involvement the with tribal super PAC Strength and Progress, citing "...the lack of accountability in spending and acquiring campaign resources..." with the focus on growing a PAC in lieu of running a campaign. "“I find this to be detestable, loathsome if not repulsive to try and keep funds from going into a candidate’s campaign or IE (Idaho Voices for Change Now) that can actually fulfill what donors, volunteers and staff are trying to accomplish. Winning an election.” [35] In a longer letter which has since surfaced, he remarked that he had never seen another candidate “demean, debase, degrade or disparage” their staff in the way he had witnessed on the Jordan campaign. [36] The communications director of the Idaho Young Democrats resigned from his position on Tuesday due to the matter, calling her actions "vile" and strongly advising that the organization distance itself from Jordan, both personally and organizationally, and the group Students for Paulette considered disbanding. Furthermore, multiple anonymous sources told KTVB-TV that claims that there had been a leadership plan in place for a month was untruthful. [37] For her part Paulette questioned the integrity of The Idaho Statesman [38] (the paper stands by its reportage).[39] Jordan's unorthodox candidacy in and of itself has shaken up Idaho politics at nearly every turn and continues to do so.[40]

Electoral history

District 5 House Seat A - Latah and Benewah Counties
Year Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct
2012 Primary[41] Paulette Jordan 891 68.5% James Stivers 410 31.5%
2012 General[42] Paulette Jordan 9,960 49.7% Cindy Agidius 10,083 50.3%
2014 Primary[43] Paulette Jordan 1,377 100%
2014 General[44] Paulette Jordan 7,371 51.8 % Cindy Agidius (incumbent) 6,847 48.2 %
2016 Primary[45] Paulette Jordan (incumbent) 1,444 100%
2016 General[46] Paulette Jordan (incumbent) 11,179 50.7% Carl Berglund 10,889 49.3%

References

  1. ↑ Caudell, Justus (December 7, 2017). "Colville descendent Paulette Jordan announces candidacy for Idaho governor". Tribal Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Democratic lawmaker resigns to focus on governor's campaign". Associated Press. February 7, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  3. ↑ Spence, William L. (February 10, 2018). "Lawmaker will bring in substitute while running for governor". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  4. ↑ Spence, William L. (February 14, 2018). "Governor candidate may still resign her legislative seat". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ Brown, Nathan (2018-09-09). "Paulette Jordan brings populist message to Idaho Falls". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  6. 1 2 3 Zotigh, Dennis (December 19, 2014). "Meet Native America: Paulette E. Jordan, Idaho House Representative". National Museum of the American Indian. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Prentice, George (February 21, 2018). "Paulette Jordan's Historic Ride". Boise Weekly. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  8. ↑ Cudahy, Claire (2018-06-04). "Native governor candidate Paulette Jordan: 'It's about time' for change". First Nations Focus. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  9. 1 2 McNeel, Jack (October 29, 2012). "Paulette Jordan, Coeur d'Alene Seeking Office in Idaho Legislature, Speaks to ICTMN". Indian Country Media Network. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  10. ↑ Petersen, Anne (2018-04-26). "Could Paulette Jordan Be The First Native American Governor? In Idaho, any Democrat running is a long shot. But Paulette Jordan — who, if elected, would become the first Native American to serve as a governor — doesn't mind the odds, and isn't heeding calls to let an older, white, established candidate take her place". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  11. ↑ "Report Declaration". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  12. ↑ "Statewide Totals". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  13. ↑ Sewell, Cynthia (2018-05-10). "May primary gives Democrats the most choices for governor since 1998". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  14. ↑ Russell, Betsy Z. (December 7, 2017). "Rep. Paulette Jordan announces she'll run for governor as a Democrat". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ Spence, William L. (December 11, 2017). "Democratic state Rep. Jordan announces run for Idaho governor". The Lewiston Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  16. 1 2 Sewell, Cynthia (2018-08-19). "Why Paulette Jordan says she can bust Idaho's Republican stronghold". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  17. ↑ Brown, Nathan (2018-09-09). "Paulette Jordan brings populist message to Idaho Falls". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  18. ↑ n/a, n/a (2018-01-30). "Meet The Anti-Trump Candidate Running To Become The United States' First Native American Governor". Eco News. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  19. ↑ CYNTHIA, CYNTHIA (2018-05-08). "These women are now running to be Idaho's governor, lt. governor as a joint ticket". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  20. ↑ n/a, n/a (2018-05-11). "Democratic primary: Jordan offers Idaho voters a new face, new approach for governor". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  21. ↑ Nichols, John (2018-05-16). "Paulette Jordan Is the New Face of Rural Politics in America". The Nation. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  22. ↑ La Ganga, Maria (2018-05-15). "Paulette Jordan claims Democratic victory: 'We won this race by everyone.'". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  23. ↑ Sewell, Cynthia (2018-05-16). "Paulette Jordan is Idaho's new political force; Brad Little is its steady, guiding one". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  24. ↑ Russell, Betsy (2018-06-30). "Kander to Dems: 'The blue wave is not a weather event, you've got to make it happen". Idaho Press. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  25. ↑ Lu, Denise. "These Women Could Shatter Glass Ceilings in Governors' Races". NYT. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  26. ↑ Bronson, Chris (2018-08-13). "Jordan edges closer to Little in gov. race, poll shows". Idaho Press. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  27. ↑ Wood, Colin (2018-09-04). "DMV service outages in Idaho shaping up as major issue in November election The governor says fixing the driver's license system is one of the state's highest priorities". statescoop. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  28. ↑ Russell, Betsy (2018-09-02). "Jordan calls DMV contract a 'boondoggle,' Little is 'frustrated'". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  29. ↑ Russell, Betsy (2018-09-14). "Two top Jordan campaign staffers resign; campaign is mum". Idaho Press. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  30. ↑ Sewell, Cynthis (2018-09-14). "Gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan's top three staffers resign". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  31. ↑ Don Day [@@DonLDay] (2018-09-14). "The resignation of Paulette Jordan's campaign manager and communications director comes on the eve of a big dollar fundraiser in California, hosted by celebrities like Demi Moore, Norman Lear and Van Jones. Jordan is touted to be in attendance in the LA area. #idpol" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Sewell, Cynthia (2018-09-15). "Jordan says campaign staff shake-up necessary to better understand, help Idahoans". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  33. ↑ Sewell, Cynthia (2018-09-15). "Jordan says campaign staff shake-up necessary to better understand, help Idahoans". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  34. ↑ Russell, Betsy (2018-09-15). "Jordan campaign issues statement: 4 new staffers hired in 'leadership transition' before 3 left Friday". Idaho Press.
  35. ↑ SEWELL, CYNTHIA (2018-09-20). "Jordan staffer left over campaign's 'detestable' ties to independent tribal PAC". Idaho Stateman. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  36. ↑ Board, Editorial (2018-09-23). "Jordan's Integrity". Post Register. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  37. ↑ Boydston, Morgan (2018-09-20). "Questions surround Paulette Jordan campaign's ties to tribal super PAC At least three staffers for Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan left the campaign less than two months before the Nov. 6 general election". KTVB-TV. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  38. ↑ Brown, Nathan (2018-09-20). "Paulette Jordan downplays staff turnover, rips media coverage". Post Register. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  39. ↑ Prast, Rhonda (2018-09-28). "Paulette Jordan has questioned our integrity and reporting. These are the facts. Paulette Jordan, Idaho Democratic candidate for governor, has questioned the Idaho Statesman's credibility, reporting and integrity. We respond to her claims regarding super PAC coverage". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  40. ↑ Prentice, George (2018-09-26). "Paulette Jordan, The Interview Gubernatorial hopeful talks about unorthodox campaign strategies, dissing Idaho's political machines and that Statesman article". Boise Weekly. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  41. ↑ Ysursa, Ben. "May 15, 2012 Primary Election Results". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  42. ↑ Ysursa, Ben. "November 6, 2012 General Election Results". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  43. ↑ Ysursa, Ben. "May 20, 2014 General Election Results". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  44. ↑ Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  45. ↑ Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  46. ↑ Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved January 10, 2017.

Media related to Paulette Jordan at Wikimedia Commons

Party political offices
Preceded by
A. J. Balukoff		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Idaho
2018		 Most recent
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