Paulette Jordan Wins Idaho Democratic Primary, Could Become First Native American Governor

Earlier this week, Idaho state Representative Paulette Jordan won the Democratic Primary to face Lt. Gov. Brad Little in November’s Idaho gubernatorial election. Jordan, a proud member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who previously served on the Tribal Council, would become the first Native American governor in the United States if elected.

The Idaho Statesman, the most widely read newspaper in the state, described Jordan as “Idaho’s new political force.”

Jordan was raised on a farm in Northern Idaho, and was the youngest person ever elected to the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. She also has worked as a business development strategist and served as Finance Chair on the Executive Board of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Idaho last elected a Democratic Governor in 1990. However, in 2016 Jordan was the only Democrat in northern Idaho to win a seat in a district won by Donald Trump, even as many established Democrats in the state were voted out of office. According to a March poll conducted by Idaho Politics Weekly, Jordan led the way with independents with 19 percent saying they liked her best among all of the candidates.

Her platform includes expanding Medicaid, building a public medical school in the state, protecting public lands, raising the minimum wage and teachers’ pay, and instituting universal pre-school.

“This is our time. This is an opportunity for all of us to stand up for ourselves and drive home a message that we’ve wanted for decades,” she told the Idaho Statesman. “When I talked to individuals, to young people, they are so overwhelmed with the fact that there is a new opportunity and a leader that listens to them.”

“I am excited to see Idahoans proud to be Idahoans again,” she said.