Jim Jordan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Jordan
Official portrait, 2015
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Mike Oxley
House positions Chair of the House Judiciary Committee Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2023 Preceded by Jerry Nadler Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee In office March 12, 2020 – January 3, 2023 Preceded by Doug Collins Succeeded by Jerry Nadler Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee In office March 31, 2020 – June 29, 2020 Preceded by Mark Meadows Succeeded by James Comer In office January 3, 2019 – March 12, 2020 Preceded by Elijah Cummings Succeeded by Mark Meadows Chair of the House Freedom Caucus In office October 1, 2015 – January 3, 2017 Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Mark Meadows
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	James Daniel Jordan (1964-02-17) February 17, 1964 (age 61) Troy, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Polly Jordan ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	4
Education	University of Wisconsin–Madison (BS) Ohio State University (MA) Capital University (JD)
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2021) Two-time NCAA National Champion (wrestling)
Website

James Daniel Jordan (born February 17, 1964) is an American politician. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio's 4th district since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming a politician, Jordan was a successful college wrestler. He won two NCAA national championships. In Congress, he helped create the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative politicians. He was its first chairman from 2015 to 2017.

Jordan is known as a close supporter of former President Donald Trump. During Trump's presidency, Jordan questioned investigations into the 2016 election. After the 2020 election, he supported efforts to challenge the results.

In 2023, Jordan became the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. This committee deals with laws and the justice system. In October 2023, he ran for Speaker of the House but did not win enough votes.

Early Life and Wrestling Career

Jordan was born in Troy, Ohio. He grew up in Champaign County, Ohio. He was a star wrestler at Graham High School. He won the state championship all four years and had a wrestling record of 156 wins and only 1 loss.

After high school, Jordan attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He continued to wrestle and became a two-time NCAA Division I champion in 1985 and 1986. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in economics. Later, he earned a master's degree in education from Ohio State University and a law degree from Capital University.

Political Career

Ohio State Government

Jordan began his political career in 1994. He was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. He served there for three terms.

In 2000, Jordan was elected to the Ohio Senate. He served in the state senate until 2006, when he decided to run for the U.S. Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

Jim Jordan with Vice President Mike Pence

In 2006, Jordan won the election for Ohio's 4th congressional district. He has been reelected many times since then. His district is mostly rural and includes cities like Lima and Mansfield.

In Congress, Jordan became a leading conservative voice. He helped start the Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republicans. The caucus pushes for limited government and lower spending. Jordan was the group's first chairman.

Jordan has tried to become the Speaker of the House several times. The Speaker is the leader of the House. In 2018, he announced he would run for the job, but his party lost the majority. In October 2023, he was nominated by the Republican party for Speaker but did not get enough votes to win after three rounds of voting.

As of 2023, Jordan has served in Congress for over 16 years. During that time, he has not sponsored a bill that has become law.

Committee Work

Jordan is the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. This is a powerful committee that oversees the federal court system and law enforcement. He is also a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which investigates government actions.

Political Views

Jordan speaking at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference

Jordan is known as one of the most conservative members of Congress. He often votes for policies that align with conservative values.

Support for Donald Trump

Jordan has been a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. He defended Trump during investigations and impeachment inquiries. After the 2020 election, Jordan supported Trump's claims that the election was not fair. He voted against certifying the election results. In January 2021, Trump awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Government Spending and Taxes

Jordan believes in limiting government spending. He voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a large spending bill. While in the Ohio Senate, he supported an amendment that would require a public vote to raise taxes.

Health Care

Jordan is against the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) and wants to repeal it. He also opposes rules that require people to get vaccines, calling them "un-American."

Foreign Policy

Jordan has voted against most bills that provide military aid to Ukraine. He supported giving aid to Israel. He also voted to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen and to remove U.S. troops from Syria.

Personal Life

Jordan and his wife, Polly, live near Urbana, Ohio. They met when they were teenagers and have been married since 1985. They have four children and two grandchildren.

Electoral history

Images for kids

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  Jordan at the 2021 AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona

See also

• Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal