Rep. Paulette Jordan resigns legislative seat to focus on campaign for governor

Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, announced Wednesday morning that she is resigning her legislative seat to focus full time on her campaign for governor.

“It has been my privilege to be elected by and to serve the people of the 5th District since 2014,” Jordan said. “My priority is my constituents and the people of Idaho. I cannot fairly serve my constituents and run for governor, therefore I am stepping down from my legislative seat. This is necessary to win the Democratic primary and to move toward victory in November. I’m all in for Idaho.”

Gov. Butch Otter will appoint a Democratic replacement from nominees provided by the Democratic Party committee for Jordan’s Legislative District 5, to serve out her term, which runs through the end of the year. Jordan said her resignation won’t be effective until a new representative is appointed to replace her.

Jordan, a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, is a second-term state lawmaker; she serves on the House environment, Resources and State Affairs committees.

Jordan faces businessman and longtime Boise school board member A.J. Balukoff in the Democratic primary for governor, which is May 15.