Jordan’s call for change falls on deaf ears

By Alex Garrison

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

OVERLAND PARK — Nick Jordan, Republican candidate for U.S. Representative in Kansas’ 3rd congressional district, said he would be “optimistic until the end.”

Jordan, who lost his race against five-term incumbent Dennis Moore, said he was disappointed with the election’s result but proud of the work he and his staff had accomplished.

Jordan accepted defeat with 40 percent of the vote. The final vote was closer than previous years — in 2006, Republican Chuck Ahner garnered only 34 percent of the vote in his bid to unseat Moore, according to the Washington Post — but it was still not enough to remove the incumbent congressman.

During his campaign, Jordan focused on “waking up Washington” and opposing Moore.

Amelia Freidline, 2008 graduate, said Jordan was one of the best challengers to Moore.

“He’s not as outspoken or divisive as previous candidates against Moore,” Freidline said. “He’s more moderate and appeals to the district’s voters.”

The 3rd district includes Wyandotte and Johnson counties and part of Douglas County, including the eastern portion of Lawrence.

Jordan’s campaign manager, Dustin Olson, said his campaign was a challenge to the “people asleep at the wheel” in Congress.

“Washington changed Dennis Moore more than Dennis Moore changed Washington,” Olson said.

On Tuesday morning, Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, praised the strength and quality of Jordan’s campaign but predicted a victory for Moore.

“Jordan has run a perfectly good campaign, but Moore hasn’t given any reason to throw him out,” Loomis said. “Most people in that district don’t feel the need for change.”

Jordan supporters, including Olson, said they were “fed up with the broken system” and hoped for change.

Jordan said that he hoped to strengthen Kansas’ economy and that the economy should be the primary concern for students at the University as well.

“This election is about their future,” he said.

Jordan, who is the 10th District state senator, coauthored the bioscience proposal on the ballot in Johnson County, which would open jobs for students and future University graduates.

— — Adam Mowder

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