JD Jordan

Democrat | Georgia

Candidate Profile

Liberal

BIOGRAPHY

Name

JD Jordan


Party

Democrat


Election Year

2024


Election

General


Race

State Senator, Dist. 56


Incumbent

No


Links

JD Jordan websites
JD Jordan phones JD Jordan emailFacebookXYouTubeYouTubeInstagramLinkedInLinkedInTikTok

EDUCATION

Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, BA, 1999

University of Georgia, Athens, GA, MA, 2007

University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, 1998

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Trans Family Meetup, Organizer, Atlanta Writers Club

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

ENDORSEMENTS

LIBERAL (7)

Working Families Party

Georgia Equality PAC

Progressive Turnout Project

Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund

Climate Cabinet

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)

Atlanta North-Georgia Labor Council

Center for Forethought Equality

Georgia Conservation Voters

Georgia Equality

Georgia High School Democrats

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024. 

In this Facebook post, the candidate announces that his campaign "was recently awarded the 2024 'Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate' distinction by the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund."

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Elective abortion should be legally available for any reason during the early stages of pregnancy, typically up to the point of fetal viability (~24 weeks). Our opponent has pledged to oppose abortion even to save the life of the mother. But as a state Senator, I will join Democrats in the Senate calling for a State Constitutional amendment codifying bodily autonomy and a woman's right to choose.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Neutral

Clearly, abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards but the regulation of such medications must be balanced with the maintaince of accessible and unobstructed reproductive healthcare.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Disagree

Organizations like Planned Parenthood offer a wide range of essential healthcare services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings, contraception, prenatal care, and STD testing and treatment—defunding these providers would severely limit access to healthcare for millions of low-income and underserved individuals. And if abortion is legal at the relevant government level, then there should be no legal reason to withhold funding.

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Agree

Legal euthanasia should be available under specific circumstances. Terminally ill individuals who are suffering should have the option to end their lives on their own terms, with dignity. But strict safeguards are necessary to prevent abuse, including ensuring the decision is voluntary, the individual is mentally competent, and the diagnosis of a terminal illness is confirmed by multiple healthcare providers.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

Free enterprise and the right to private property are important components of a productive economic system, contributing dramatically to innovation, job creation, and growth. But they're not the only essential elements. Supporting small businesses, protecting shared resources like the environment, advocating for the role of workers as well as business owners, and protecting customers and communities from exploitation are also essential.

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I'll push to reform the minimum wage, tying it to a dynamic economic variable like housing prices, ensuring wages keep pace with inflation. I'll also work to implement gradual increases to ease the burden on businesses.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

Yes

Considering ESG ratings alongside other metrics will help us make smart decisions about where to invest public monies so they align with constituent values and goals. By using ESG ratings, public investments can also support companies with strong governance practices, reducing the risk of corruption and promoting transparency.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

Almost none. The government should have the authority close places of worship only under exceptional circumstances where public health or safety is at risk, and any action taken must be fair, non-discriminatory, temporary, and subject to judicial review to protect constitutional rights.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Agree

If an individual and businesses chooses to offer a product or service, they should generally be required to provide equal access to those services. Public accommodation laws are crucial in preventing discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. While religious freedom is important, it should not justify denying services that harm others or undermine equality.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. This approach aims to guarantee access to healthcare for everyone while maintaining choice in the private sector.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Vaccinations should be required to protect public health, particularly in schools and workplaces, based on evidence and public health guidance, while ensuring equitable access and respecting individual exemptions where appropriate.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Agree

Addressing these issues involves strengthening alliances, promoting fair trade practices, and investing in domestic innovation and cybersecurity, while advocating for human rights and environmental standards globally. (Note: this is not an issue for the state legislature)

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

The US-Israel relationship is strategically important but not monolithic. We should work toward a balanced approach that supports peace, human rights, and equitable resolutions in the region. (Note: this is not an issue for the state legislature)


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Agree

Yes—for our security as well as for the safety of people living near the border and those attempting to cross it. Congress should reform our national immigration policy into something moral and humane that meets both our economic and societal needs.


EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Disagree

Robust funding and support for public schools are essential for providing equitable education to all students regardless of their background. If the state wants to provide vouchers for children in private or homeschool environments, those monies should come from a separate source and not negatively impact public education budgets.


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Neutral

Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is paramount. However, protections should be grounded in evidence-based practices and respect for individual rights. Protections should be in place to prevent discrimination and support children who are transgender or non-binary, while ensuring that any medical or psychological interventions are conducted with informed consent and professional guidance.

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Agree

Parents play a critical role in making decisions for their children’s upbringing—including education, healthcare, and religious practices. But this right isn't absolute. Parental decisions that endanger a child’s health, safety, or development—such as neglect or abuse—may be intervened upon by the state to protect the child.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Agree

Only in the context of equitable access to healthcare where a taxpayer-funded healthcare option is involved. For a minority of individuals, gender transition services are a critical aspect of comprehensive medical care and all individuals—including transgender and non-binary people—should have access to necessary and affirming healthcare either through public or private options.

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Neutral

Many individuals choose to sanctify their marriage, and that's laudable. But marriage is also a legal contract recognized by the state, and in that context marriage should be recognized as a legal union between consenting adults regardless of gender and recognizing diverse family structures.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I was raised adjacent to the Episcopal Church (parochial school and an Anglican mother) but currently identify as an atheist. I encourage my children to find their own spiritual paths which, for some, includes Christianity—which I support—and for others does not.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Agree

The voter registration process already confirms an individual's citizenship and many people don't have conventional photo identification (e.g., a drivers license). Requiring photo ID can disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including low-income individuals, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Voting systems should support a diversity of methods for verifying a voter's identity that are accessible and do not create undue burdens on voters

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Agree

Yes, to ensure that every vote counts equally in presidential elections, aligning with the principle of one person, one vote. This helps to reflect the national popular vote more accurately.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Addressing racism is essential for ensuring a secure and just society. Racism is a significant threat to domestic security as it can incite violence, undermine social cohesion, contribute to radicalization, perpetuate inequality, and impact economic and institutional stability.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Neutral

CRT is an analytical framework that can be used to explore systemic racism in any society. But the US and its institutions are not a monolith and it would be an oversimplification to assert that CRT is the right framework for every analysis. We should employ CRT as part of our analytical toolkit alongside other critical-thinking methodologies.

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Disagree

Biological sex and gender identity do not necessarily correlate for a minority of the population. Transgender individuals should be included in gender-specific spaces according to their gender identity, with policies designed to balance fairness, safety, and respect for all individuals. How to best include transgender individuals in gendered-sport is, however, less clear, as sex-based differentiations may be considerable—expert analysis by sporting professionals is needed.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost AND climate change is real and requires urgent policy action. Environmental laws and regulations protect the environment and public health—sometimes at costs, and sometimes with economic benefit and job creation.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

We need a modern diversified grid that integrates current power sources with renewable energy sources—solar, wind, biomass, hydro—and clean sources such as nuclear. And we need to enhance out energy storage and efficiency systems


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No.

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

Government is the base of the pyramid. It's needs to do as little as possible and as much as necessary to facility personal liberty, economic growth, and equitable access to shared resources. I think of it as the operating system for our country—it's the framework, not the application itself.

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Liberal

I was raised socially liberal and fiscally conservative. And a big part of that experience was learning and taking to heart the idea that we should have as little government as possible and exactly as much government as we need. The government doesn’t belong in our families, our bedrooms, our places of worship, our doctor’s offices, our classrooms and libraries, or—perhaps ironically—our polling places.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Agree

It depends on the community and the programs, of course. Redirecting funds to community programs—such as education, mental health services, housing, and job training—can addresses the root causes of crime and improves overall community well-being. But we must not let our police departments atrophy as a result.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Common sense gun restrictions include universal background checks for all purchases, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implementing red flag laws to temporarily remove guns from those deemed dangerous, and mandating safe storage requirements. These policies aim to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety while ensuring responsible ownership.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

No

Teachers’ primary role is to educate and support students, not to act as armed security. Introducing guns into the classroom can detract from their educational mission and create a more dangerous environment. What's more, the presence of firearms in schools increases the risk of accidental shootings, conflicts escalating into violence, and other safety issues. The risks associated with having guns in schools often outweigh any potential benefits.

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