Paul T. Jordan
Encyclopedia
Paul T. Jordan 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.
After graduating from medical school
in 1968, Jordan ran a drug rehabilitation
center in Jersey City. His political involvement began when he joined a local reform group called the Community Action Council. 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
. 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. He was re-elected to a full four-year term in 1973.
Jordan was the first mayor to propose a major redevelopment of the Jersey City waterfront. During his term, Jordan appointed Shirley Ann Tolentino as the first African-American woman to serve as a full-time municipal court judge in New Jersey.
Jordan did not run for re-election in 1977, choosing instead to seek the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
. Jordan used an aggressive television advertising campaign that was estimated to cost up to $200,000. Jordan withdrew from the race and supported incumbent Governor Brendan Byrne
. Jordan's campaign later received a $30,000 campaign contribution from Byrne's campaign, allowing him to retire 25% of his campaign debt. 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
.
Jordan currently serves as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Human Services and served as its Chairman from 1991 until 1996. He is also the treasurer of the State Board of Medical Examiners.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician who served as the 37th Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. He succeeded interim mayor Charles K. Krieger
Charles K. Krieger
Charles Kiva Krieger was an interim mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He served as mayor for three months in 1971.Krieger emigrated to the United States to flee from Nazi persecution in his native Austria....
. Being 30 years old at the time of his election, Jordan is the youngest mayor in the history of Jersey City.
After graduating from medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
in 1968, Jordan ran a drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
center in Jersey City. His political involvement began when he joined a local reform group called the Community Action Council. Jordan was first elected as a reform candidate in a special election following the resignation of Thomas J. Whelan
Thomas J. Whelan
Thomas J. Whelan was an Irish-American mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He served as the Mayor of Jersey City from 1963 to 1971....
after Whelan's conviction for extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
and conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
. Jordan's election was hailed as an end to machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
control of Jersey City politics, and was credited to support from a large number of young voters. He was re-elected to a full four-year term in 1973.
Jordan was the first mayor to propose a major redevelopment of the Jersey City waterfront. During his term, Jordan appointed Shirley Ann Tolentino as the first African-American woman to serve as a full-time municipal court judge in New Jersey.
Jordan did not run for re-election in 1977, choosing instead to seek the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
. Jordan used an aggressive television advertising campaign that was estimated to cost up to $200,000. Jordan withdrew from the race and supported incumbent Governor Brendan Byrne
Brendan Byrne
Brendan Thomas Byrne is an American Democratic Party politician from New Jersey, who served as the 47th Governor of New Jersey, from 1974 to 1982.-Early life and education:...
. Jordan's campaign later received a $30,000 campaign contribution from Byrne's campaign, allowing him to retire 25% of his campaign debt. 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
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
.
Jordan currently serves as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Human Services and served as its Chairman from 1991 until 1996. He is also the treasurer of the State Board of Medical Examiners.