Sydney Jordan

Sydney Jordan is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 60A. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), she has been in office since 2020. Jordan's district encompasses parts of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, where she has focused on various legislative initiatives, particularly in education, public safety, and environmental policy.

Early life and career

Sydney Jordan was born on October 1, 1990, in Illinois. She pursued her higher education at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and global studies in 2013. Following her graduation, Jordan engaged in various roles that combined her interests in education, politics, and advocacy.

Her professional journey began with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, where she contributed to the organization’s efforts to improve educational conditions and advocate for teachers' rights. Jordan also played a significant role in local politics as the political director for Jacob Frey's first campaign for mayor of Minneapolis. In this capacity, she helped shape the campaign's strategy and outreach efforts, which ultimately contributed to Frey's electoral success.

In addition to her work in education and local politics, Jordan served as the state director of Save the Boundary Waters, an organization focused on protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. Her advocacy extended to significant political issues, such as opposing voter identification requirements during a campaign for a proposed constitutional amendment. This experience in advocacy and political organization laid the groundwork for her later electoral success.

Legislative service

Sydney Jordan was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election held on February 4, 2020. Her election followed the passing of Diane Loeffler, an eight-term DFL incumbent. Jordan's candidacy was notable for her victory in a crowded primary field, where she emerged over ten other candidates. She received an endorsement from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, which bolstered her campaign.

Following her initial election, Jordan successfully secured a full term in the November 2020 general election and was reelected in 2022. Throughout her tenure in the House, she has taken on several leadership roles and responsibilities. Currently, she serves as the vice chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee. Additionally, she is a member of several other committees, including Education Finance, Labor and Industry Finance and Policy, and Rules and Legislative Administration. Her leadership extends to her role as an assistant majority leader for the House DFL caucus.

From 2021 to 2022, Jordan held the position of vice chair of the Legacy Finance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the allocation of funds generated from a state sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008. This committee plays a crucial role in determining how these funds are utilized for various projects and initiatives across the state.

Policy focus and district

Sydney Jordan's legislative priorities reflect her commitment to education, public safety, environmental issues, and social justice. One of her significant legislative achievements includes authoring a bill that provides free breakfast and lunch to all students in Minnesota K-12 schools. This legislation passed the House in February 2023, subsequently received Senate approval, and was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on March 17, 2023. This initiative aims to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals, thereby addressing food insecurity in schools.

In the realm of education, Jordan also sponsored legislation requiring school districts to implement comprehensive sexual health education programs for students in elementary and secondary grades. This initiative reflects her focus on promoting informed and healthy choices among young people.

Jordan has been actively involved in public safety and police reform discussions, particularly in the wake of high-profile incidents involving law enforcement. She supported a measure that sought to rename the Minneapolis Police Department to the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety, which aimed to shift oversight from the mayor's office to the city council. Following the police killing of Winston Smith, she advocated for the implementation of body cameras for all officers in Minnesota, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement.

In addition to her work on public safety, Jordan has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental issues. She signed a letter urging the Biden administration to halt the construction of Line 3, a controversial tar sands pipeline proposed to traverse Minnesota tribal lands. Furthermore, she has joined environmental advocates in calling for the closure of a metal shredder in North Minneapolis after a fire incident raised concerns about safety and environmental impact.

Jordan's political positions encompass a range of progressive values. She has identified herself as "staunchly pro-union," "anti-racist," and "pro-abortion." Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she led efforts to divest state pension funds from investments tied to Russia, reflecting her concern for the large Ukrainian community in northeast Minneapolis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she authored legislation mandating face masks in indoor public spaces for individuals aged six and older, although this proposal did not become law.

Sydney Jordan resides in the Northeast Park neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis, where she remains connected to her community and the issues that affect her constituents. Her legislative work continues to focus on addressing the needs and concerns of the residents in her district while advocating for policies that promote equity, safety, and environmental stewardship.