Jordan Bridges (politician)

Jordan Bridges
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 24th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2020
Serving with Margitta Mazzocchi
Preceded byTim Tomblin
Personal details
Born
Jordan Ray Bridges

(1988-03-28) March 28, 1988 (age 36)
Logan, West Virginia
Political partyRepublican
EducationSouthern 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

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources[8]
  • Education
  • Energy and Manufacturing
  • Workforce Development

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]

References

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