Jordan Bridges (politician) explained

Jordan Bridges
State Delegate:West Virginia
District:24th
Term Start:2020
Predecessor:Tim Tomblin
Alongside:Margitta Mazzocchi
Birth Name:Jordan Ray Bridges
Birth Date:28 March 1988
Birth Place:Logan, West Virginia
Party:Republican
Education:Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Jordan Ray Bridges (born March 28, 1988) is an American politician who has served as a Delegate from the 24th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2020. He is a Republican.

Early life, education, and career

Bridges was born in Logan, West Virginia to Bobby and Jackie Bridges. He attended the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He was employed in the coal industry before assuming office.[1] [2]

Elections

2018

Bridges first ran for office in 2018, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Bridges was one of two Republicans to receive his party's nomination in the primary, receiving 44.27% of the vote.[3] In the four-way, elect-two general election, Bridges, as well as his fellow Republican, were defeated by Democrats Tim Tomblin and Ralph Rodighiero. Bridges received 22.82% of the vote.[4]

2020

Bridges ran again in 2020. During his campaign, Bridges supported investment in infrastructure, limited regulations on business, and less taxation.[5]

In his primary, Bridges was nominated alongside Margitta Mazzocchi with 60.37% of the vote.[6]

In the general, Bridges defeated Tomblin and another Democrat with 29.24% of the vote.[7]

Tenure

Committee assignments

Coal

As a former coal miner, Bridges joined an unofficial bipartisan workgroup designed to aid the recovery of communities reliant on the failing coal industry.[9]

Transgender rights

Bridges was a cosponsor of House Bill 3293, a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.[2] [10] After announcing that he would cosponsor the bill on his Facebook page, Bridges liked a number of posts which encouraged violence against the transgender community, compared transgender people to pigs, and used the derogatory term, "tranny."[11] The bill was cited in a June 2020 statement by the Department of Justice, which argued that the bill violated federal law, the Fourteenth Amendment, and Title IX.[12]

Worker's rights

Bridges voted against SB 11, a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike.[2] [13]

Personal life

Bridges is married to Erica Bridges and has two children. He is a Christian.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Bridges . West Virginia Legislature . 21 June 2021 . 1.
  2. Web site: Jordan Bridges' Biography . Vote Smart . 21 June 2021 . 2.
  3. Web site: 2018 Primary Election: House of Delegates 24th District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 21 June 2021 . 3.
  4. Web site: 2018 General Election: House of Delegates 24th District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 21 June 2021 . 4.
  5. Web site: Vidovich . Dylan . House 24 Candidates Discuss District's Issues and Goals if Elected . Logan Banner . October 7, 2020 . 21 June 2021 . 5.
  6. Web site: 2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 24th District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 21 June 2021 . 6.
  7. Web site: 2020 General Election: House of Delegates 24th District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 21 June 2021 . 7.
  8. Web site: Member Profiles: Delegate Bridges . West Virginia Legislature . 21 June 2021 . 8.
  9. Web site: McElhinny . Brad . 'Coal Communities Comeback' Plan Gets Another Shot . Metro News . June 9, 2021 . 21 June 2021 . 12.
  10. Web site: Adams . Steven Allen . Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House . Parkersburg News and Sentinel . 21 June 2021 . 9.
  11. Web site: Pierson . Lacie . U.S. Dept. of Justice calls WV Transgender Athlete Ban Shows "Misunderstanding or Fear of Transgender Girls," "Outright Anti-transgender Bias" . West Virginia Gazette-Mail . June 17, 2021 . 21 June 2021 . 10.
  12. Web site: Hall . Madison . Department of Justice Says Anti-Trans State Laws Targeting Children Should Be Thrown Out. Business Insider. 16 July 2021 . 11.
  13. Web site: Adams . Steven Allen . W.Va. Senate sends message: Public worker strikes illegal . The Times Leader . 21 June 2021. 13.