Paul T. Jordan

Paul T. Jordan (born c. 1941) is an American physician and Democratic Party politician who served as the 37th Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He succeeded interim mayor Charles K. Krieger. Being 30 years old at the time of his election, Jordan is the youngest mayor in the history of Jersey City.[1]

Paul T. Jordan
37th Mayor of Jersey City
In office November 9, 1971 – June 30, 1977
Preceded by	Charles K. Krieger
Succeeded by	Thomas F. X. Smith
Personal details
Born	c. 1941
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Jersey City, New Jersey
Profession	Physician

Biography

After graduating from medical school in 1968, Jordan ran a drug rehabilitation center in Jersey City.[1] His political involvement began when he joined a local reform group called the Community Action Council.[1] Jordan was first elected as a reform candidate in a special election following the resignation of Thomas J. Whelan after Whelan's conviction for extortion and conspiracy.[2] Jordan's election was hailed as an end to machine control of Jersey City politics, and was credited to support from a large number of young voters.[3] He was re-elected to a full four-year term in 1973.[1]

Jordan was the first mayor to propose a major redevelopment of the Jersey City waterfront.[1] During his term, Jordan appointed Shirley Tolentino as the first African-American woman to serve as a full-time municipal court judge in New Jersey.[4]

In 1977, Jordan simultaneously ran for reelection in Jersey City's non-partisan May election and for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey, with the primary held in June. Jordan used an aggressive television advertising campaign that was estimated to cost up to $200,000.[5]

After losing the mayoral election, he withdrew from the gubernatorial primary and supported incumbent Governor Brendan Byrne.[6] Jordan's campaign later received a $30,000 campaign contribution from Byrne's campaign, allowing him to retire 25% of his campaign debt.[7] Jordan retired from politics and returned to his medical career following his withdrawal from the primary. He later served as the Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey.[8]

Jordan currently serves as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Human Services and served as its chairman from 1991 until 1996.[9] He is also the treasurer of the State Board of Medical Examiners.[10]

References

1. "200 Faces for the Future". TIME. July 15, 1974.
2. Sullivan, Ronald (November 3, 1971). "Jordan, a Reformer, Ends Jersey City Machine Rule". The New York Times.
3. "Elections: Assessing the Contests". TIME. November 15, 1971.
4. Cook, Joan (August 17, 1976). "Jersey City Gets a Black Woman as Municipal Judge". The New York Times.
5. Sullivan, Joseph F. (March 9, 1977). "Jordan Plans TV Campaign for Nomination". The New York Times.
6. Sullivan, Joseph F. (May 17, 1977). "Jordan Cancels Gubernatorial Bid, Will Support Byrne for Re-election". The New York Times.
7. Waldron, Martin (June 6, 1977). "8 in Primary for the Governorship Report Owing a Total of $1 Million; Byrne Committee Helps Jordan Cut Debt 25% Florio Lists Loan That Tops His Net Worth". The New York Times.
8. "Trinitas Nears Completion of Emergency Department Upgrades". Retrieved August 3, 2008. "This multiple site system achieves our goals, and furnishes easier access to the most appropriate level of care," explained Paul Jordan, M.D., Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Trinitas Hospital.
9. "State Board of Human Services". State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
10. "State Board of Medical Examiners". State of New Jersey. Retrieved August 3, 2008.