Jim Jordan Then and Now

Jim Jordan Then

Jim Jordan, born on February 17, 1964, in Urbana, Ohio, is a prominent American politician with deep roots in both athletics and public service. 

The son of Shirley and John Jordan, Jim developed a competitive edge early in life through wrestling, a sport that would define much of his early achievements. 

While attending Graham High School, Jordan’s wrestling career took off as he won state championships in all four years of high school, an impressive feat that solidified his dominance in the sport. 

He achieved a nearly perfect record of 156 wins and only one loss, setting the stage for his future athletic successes.

Continuing his wrestling career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jordan reached new heights. 

As a collegiate athlete, he won two NCAA Division I national wrestling championships in the 134-pound weight class, securing titles in both 1985 and 1986. 

His dedication and skill in the sport earned him widespread recognition, making him one of the top wrestlers of his time. 

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Jordan pursued academics with equal determination, earning a bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin-Madison and later a master’s degree from Ohio State University. 

He capped off his education by obtaining a law degree (JD) from Capital University, although he chose not to take the bar exam, focusing his career on public service instead.

Jordan’s wrestling background has often been credited for shaping his tenacity and work ethic, traits that have defined his approach in his later political career.

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Jim Jordan’s Political Career

Jim Jordan’s career in public service began shortly after his time as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University (OSU), where he worked from 1987 to 1995. 

In 1994, while still coaching, Jordan was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he served three terms. 

His political career continued to advance as he was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2000, earning reelection in 2004. 

In 2005, when longtime U.S. Representative Mike Oxley announced he would not seek reelection for Ohio’s 4th district, Jordan entered the race for the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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He won the Republican primary and easily defeated his Democratic opponent, securing the seat in 2007, a position he has held ever since.

Jordan’s rise through the Republican Party has been marked by his assertive and uncompromising style, often characterized by his quick-talking and relentless approach. 

Known for rarely wearing a suit jacket, he’s become a recognizable figure in Congress. 

Despite his success, Jordan’s journey to power has not always been smooth, as he is known for being a staunch conservative willing to challenge his own party’s leadership. 

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In 2011, he became the chair of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), a powerful conservative caucus within the party. 

During his tenure, Jordan played a prominent role in the 2013 federal government shutdown, which lasted 16 days as Republicans sought to defund the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

His opposition to the ACA and other controversial stances, such as cosponsoring a bill to ban same-sex marriage in 2015 and resisting COVID-19 vaccine mandates, have made him a divisive figure, even among Republicans. 

Former House Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Ohioan, famously referred to Jordan as a “legislative terrorist” in a 2017 interview due to his tactics.

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Jordan has run unsuccessfully for House leadership positions multiple times, including bids for Speaker of the House in 2013 and 2015, and for House Minority Leader in 2019, where he lost to Kevin McCarthy by a wide margin. 

His career has also been shadowed by controversy, including a 2018 scandal involving OSU’s athletics program, where he was accused of knowing about sexual abuse allegations but failing to act, a claim Jordan has denied.

Jordan has been a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, and their alliance has been mutually beneficial. 

Jordan was a vocal defender of Trump during his first impeachment trial in 2019, where Trump was accused of pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden’s son Hunter. 

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Jordan also supported lawsuits challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election and refused to certify the election results on January 6, 2021. 

His involvement in defending Trump led to a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, though Jordan refused to comply. 

Just days after the Capitol riot, Trump awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest honors.

In 2023, after McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House, Trump endorsed Jordan for the position, praising him on social media. 

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However, Jordan’s candidacy faced opposition from within his own party, with figures like Liz Cheney warning that his election as Speaker would undermine the Constitution. 

Cheney, who was vice chair of the January 6 committee, was a vocal critic of Jordan’s actions surrounding the 2020 election and the events of January 6. 

Despite his strong conservative backing, Jordan’s controversial political history has made his leadership prospects a topic of significant debate within the Republican Party.

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Jim Jordan’s Wife and Children

Jim Jordan married his wife, Polly, in 1985, continuing a relationship that began during their teenage years. 

The couple met when Jordan was 13 and Polly was 14, forming a bond that developed through their high school years. 

As high school sweethearts, their relationship flourished into a lifelong partnership. Together, they have raised four children, all of whom are now grown. 

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Polly has remained a supportive presence throughout Jordan’s career in both wrestling and politics, as he transitioned from an accomplished athlete to a prominent figure in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The couple’s enduring relationship reflects the stability and personal commitment that have been central to Jordan’s personal and professional life.

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Jim Jordan Now

As of 2024, Jim Jordan is 60 years old and serves as an American politician representing Ohio’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

First elected in 2007, he is currently in his ninth term and is a prominent member of the Republican Party. 

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Jordan has established himself as a key figure within the GOP, known for his hardline conservative positions and his willingness to challenge both Democratic policies and sometimes even his own party’s leadership. 

His influence in Congress has grown over the years, leading him to serve as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee from 2019 to 2020, where he was involved in several high-profile investigations and oversight efforts.

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In 2020, Jordan transitioned to become the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, a role that further solidified his influence on legislative matters, particularly those related to law enforcement, civil liberties, and judicial appointments. 

His leadership on this committee culminated in his ascension to the position of chair in 2023, allowing him to shape the legislative agenda in alignment with conservative priorities.

Following the ousting of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House in 2023, Jordan emerged as a candidate to replace him. 

He became the second nominee of the House Republican Conference after Steve Scalise withdrew from the race. 

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Despite his strong backing within the party, Jordan faced challenges in securing the speakership, failing to win the necessary votes in three rounds of balloting. 

Ultimately, his nomination was revoked, highlighting the complexities and divisions within the Republican Party during a turbulent period. 

Jordan’s political trajectory reflects not only his ambitions but also the evolving dynamics within Congress as the party navigates internal disagreements and external pressures.

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Jim Jordan’s Net Worth

Jim Jordan, an American Republican politician and former wrestler, currently has a net worth of approximately $200,000, as reported in his most recent congressional financial disclosure, although his net worth has fluctuated in previous years, reaching as high as $240,000 at one point.

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