Rep. Jordan Suspends Campaign For New Judgeship Post

  Rep. John Paul Jordan is announcing the suspension of his campaign for District Court Judge in Canadian County.  He made the announcement on his social media acct.
  He cites a clause of the constitution where current lawmakers cannot create a govt post or enhance it; and then get elected or appointed to it during his term of legislative service. Jordan is to be applauded for voluntarily making this conscientious move.
  But the State Supreme Court disagrees with Jordan. In The 2014 Kunzweiler v Jordan case, the court majority voted 6-2 that since the term of office begins after Fred Jordan's current term ends, it is not a constitutional violation.  I did not agree with this ruling, but it seems only retired justice Steven Taylor was bold enough to tell his colleagues differently.

  ​Today I am announcing that I am suspending my campaign for District Judge. I did not make the decision to run for this office lightly neither is the decision to end this campaign.
  At the time of filing for office, I consulted several experts and the belief was that while the judgeship was new for Canadian County, overall the state did not create a new judicial position. It was my own recent discovery that there could be an issue.
  Upon investigation, it has become clear the 2nd District Judgeship for Canadian County is a completely new elected office. Should I be elected, I would be in violation of Article 5, Section 23 of Oklahoma Constitution.

Rep. John Paul Jordan and his wife, Christi

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  I have personally visited with the Attorney General’s office and the Chief Administrator of Courts and it has been determined my legal reasoning is accurate. Therefore, I am suspending my campaign.
  I have ran this campaign as a Christian Constitutionalist for Canadian County. It is by those standards I have to also hold myself. I am competitive by nature. I want to win. But I also believe how you win is as important as prevailing. I cannot expect others to follow the law if I am not willing to do so myself.
  I have spoken personally to Judge Jack McCurdy informing him of my decision. At this point I want to take the opportunity to congratulate him on a well-run campaign, and to also publically offer any support I can as he assumes the role of District Judge.
To my wife, Christi, I want to thank you for believing in me and supporting me as no one else has.
  To my friends and supporters I want to sincerely thank you for your words of encouragement and the support you have given me not just during this campaign but throughout my service to our wonderful communities.
  My service is far from over and there’s a lot more to come.
  I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. I truly believe the best is yet to come, but for now I am reminded of 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Thank you and God Bless.