Paulette Jordan

Paulette Jordan is an American politician, and served in the Idaho House of Representatives as a member of the Idaho Democratic Party from December 1, 2014 until February 14, 2018. She previously served on the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council, its sovereign government. During her final term she was the only Democrat serving in the Idaho Legislature from North Idaho. She is a candidate in the 2018 election for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Idaho.

Paulette is an enrolled citizen of the federally recognized Coeur d'Alene tribe, which is based on the reservation of the same name. She also has Sinkiuse (known as the Moses–Columbia Band of the Colville Confederacy), Nez Perce, and Yakama–Palusancestry. She is a descendant of the 19th century chiefs Moses and Kamiakin.

Paulette grew up on a farm in northern Idaho, where she developed a strong connection to our state’s land and the people who share it. A proud member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, she was raised to fight for the needs of her community and to protect our priceless natural resources.

As a student at the University of Washington, Paulette discovered her love of local politics and grassroots activism, working with the Seattle City Council and the university’s administration on behalf of her fellow students. After graduation, she moved back home to Idaho and became the youngest person elected to the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. Paulette went on to work as a business development strategist and to serve as Finance Chair on the Executive Board of the National Indian Gaming Association.

In 2014, Paulette felt compelled to serve a broader circle of Idahoans, beyond her tribe, and she ran to represent her home district in the Idaho House of Representatives. She won against tough odds, beating an incumbent Republican, and successfully ran for a second term two years later. Throughout her tenure in the Idaho legislature, Paulette has promoted progressive policy, like the teacher loan forgiveness bill, and held the line against harmful and unjust legislation. She fights for better rural education, wider access to healthcare, and stronger economic development and opportunity in Idaho’s struggling communities.

Paulette lives in Plummer, Idaho, with her two sons. She’s running for governor to build a better future for them, and for all of Idaho’s children.