Governor (1951–1955)

Jordan successfully ran for governor in 1950.^[2][7][8]

During his four-year term, slot machines were banned; employment, unemployment, and job training services were merged; and the state highway commission was initiated.^[9] Jordan did not run for re-election in 1954 because it was not allowed at the time. Starting with the 1946 election, Idaho changed from two-year to four-year terms for governor, but disallowed self-succession (re-election). Jordan's successor as governor was the former attorney general, Robert Smylie, who successfully lobbied the 1955 legislature to propose an amendment to the state constitution to allow gubernatorial re-election, which was approved by voters in the 1956 general election.^[10][11] (Smylie was re-elected in 1958 and 1962, and sought a fourth term in 1966, but was defeated in the primary.)

In 1955, Jordan was appointed by President Eisenhower as Chairman of the United States section of the International Joint Commission with Canada.

Appointment and special election of 1962

In August 1962, Jordan was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Smylie, following the death of Henry Dworshak in July.^[12][13] In November, Jordan defeated Democratic congresswoman Gracie Pfost of Nampa in the special election to complete the remaining four years of the term.^[14][15]

Election of 1966

Jordan was elected to a full term in 1966, defeating former Democratic congressman Ralph R. Harding of Blackfoot.^[16]

Legislative record

In the Senate, Jordan helped Frank Church establish the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in 1972, and voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968,^[17][18] as well as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the confirmation of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.^[19][20] He also voted in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment.^[21]

In August 1971, Jordan announced that he would not seek re-election in 1972,^[22] and was succeeded by Jim McClure, the three-term Republican congressman from the first district. At age 73, Jordan was the first from Idaho to voluntarily retire from the U.S. Senate.^[23]