Chris’s passionate advocacy for children and families has been a lifelong theme.  In 2014, he enlisted Democratic and Republican Spokane legislators, and rallied a coalition of community groups to pass the bipartisan Homeless Children Education Act, Washington’s first law addressing student homelessness. In 2022, Spokane County Juvenile Court recognized Chris with the Judge James Triplet Teamwork Award for outstanding problem-solving, collegiality, and professionalism at the courthouse. As a Commissioner, Jordan supported investments to expand mental health services for schoolchildren and to fund programs assisting drug-affected newborns.

Commissioner Jordan has stood up for needed change at Spokane County. In 2023, the Board unanimously approved Commissioner Jordan’s transparency reform proposal, which gives citizens more, earlier, and better access to information about what the Commissioners are discussing and voting on. Commissioner Jordan also challenged the County to recognize the reality of climate change, and pushed for changes to make the Courthouse more welcoming and accessible for non-English speaking residents.

Commissioner Jordan seeks to build partnerships with local governments and stakeholders to tackle the challenges of homelessness and housing together - with creativity, practical ideas, and determined regional leadership.  He’s working to advance compassionate, data-driven, cost-effective solutions, such as peer support, connections to treatment, and more affordable, middle housing options. Jordan wants to take the politics out of homelessness and pursue regional approaches working in other communities.

Commissioner Jordan was raised in Spokane by a tight-knit, politically mixed, middle class family made up of small business owners, builders, office workers, teachers, realtors, and law enforcement officers.  His first job was scrubbing floors at his uncle’s carpet store on North Ash Street.  As a Governor’s Appointee serving on the University of Washington Board of Regents, Chris voted against housing rate increases and – together with education advocates – lobbied the Legislature to freeze tuition, arguing that the rising cost of college hurts the middle class and cuts off opportunity for economic mobility.

Jordan supported Spokane’s push to provide workers with paid sick and safe leave. When Chris saw that his office was struggling with uncompetitive wages, unsustainable caseloads, and damaging turnover, he helped lead the effort to create a union representing his fellow workers.

As County Commissioner, Jordan is fighting to expand registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to build a pipeline of good paying jobs and well trained workers to meet the needs of local businesses. He has called for more partnerships and funding to increase the accessibility of childcare. Commissioner Jordan also delivered investments in economic development that create jobs and promote tourism, like improvements to Avista Stadium in partnership with the City of Spokane Valley.

Chris Jordan’s family roots in Spokane go back four generations. His family taught him to work hard and love baseball, the Mariners, and the Zags. He’s a product of Mead Schools, and graduated from Mt. Spokane High School. Chris’ Grandfather Jack Spring is one of his heroes. Spring - the late Major League Baseball pitcher - was a beloved teacher and coach who returned to Spokane after a career in the big leagues. Spring’s baseball talent turned out not to be genetic, but he passed on to Jordan a love of the game, and a commitment to public service. The baseball field at West Valley High School is named for Spring.

At Mt. Spokane High School, Chris met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Mara.  The two graduated from UW before deciding to return home to their Spokane roots in 2015 to serve the community.  Mara is a Family Medicine doctor and alum of the Gonzaga-UW Health Partnership in Spokane.

Chris and Mara love that Spokane remains a “big small town,” brimming with community spirit, where people still smile at each other while walking by on the street. They enjoy supporting local businesses, north from Green Bluff through Garland and West Central, to the Downtown core and the South Hill. They jog Bloomsday yearly, and on the weekends can often be found hiking Spokane County trails and frequenting coffee shops.

In 2020, they welcomed a black and white Springer Spaniel named “Betty” into the family (named after actress Betty White). Betty has been designated as the campaign’s official mascot.

Commissioner Chris Jordan is an Eastern Washington Democrat running for a second term serving the citizens of District 1 on the west side of Spokane, which stretches from Farwell Road on the North Side, to 29th Avenue on the South Hill. Chris grew up North of Spokane; most of his family lives on Five Mile. His mom and all his aunts and uncles went to Shadle. Chris’s family has attended the same church in Emerson Garfield since the 1930s. Jordan has lived in Browne’s Addition and the South Hill, worked in West Central and Downtown - and frequented businesses on Monroe more times than he cares to admit.

Chris began his Spokane journey in public service by helping Spokane’s Mayor organize a series of Climate Solutions conferences to help the City become more sustainable and plan for the impacts of climate change. He joined Okanogan rancher Peter Goldmark’s successful campaign for Commissioner of Public Lands as an Eastern Washington organizer in 2008. Chris cited Goldmark’s strong conservation ethic and support for cleaner energy in joining that campaign. He also interned in the office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray. Chris continued to serve professionally through his leadership in Juvenile Court, as an active volunteer at his church, and at various community events in the area, like the Spokane River Cleanup.

“Serving as your County Commissioner is an honor and a privilege. Spokane is a truly special place. I feel so grateful to be a part of this community and to have grown up here, with deep ties that sustain me today. My vision for Spokane County is to be a region where all families can thrive. Let’s keep working together to create the conditions for a strong middle class, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We can build a bright future together in this place of stunning natural beauty and parks - with more affordable housing options, a robust and trusted public health system, great educational and training opportunities for workers, good paying jobs, and vibrant local businesses. We can make smart decisions about how we grow that prepare us for the future while protecting our taxpayers. I’m running to continue being a voice for that vision - for our entire region and for the next generation.  Everyone deserves quality of life, and to be treated with dignity and fairness. I would be honored to have your vote. - Chris”

In The News

• “Spokane County demolishes eyesore building on former vermiculite site" Spokesman Review (2023)

• “Mary Kuney keeps chair position of Spokane County Commission – and this time her fellow Republicans don’t object” Spokesman Review (2023)

• “Spokane County Commission approves $937 million budget” Spokesman Review (2023)

• “Spokane County voters overwhelmingly reject sales tax that would have paid for new jails” Spokesman Review (2023)

• “Criminal justice reform advocates bash Spokane County over advisory board decision” Spokesman Review (2023)

• ‘Baseball transcends politics’: How local and state governments came together to renovate Avista Stadium with private help” Spokesman Review (2023)

• “A win for safety’: Spokane County building new bike route south of Whitworth University” Spokesman Review (2023)

• “Spokane County Commission implement’s Jordan’s transparency proposal” Spokesman Review (2023)

• "A fresh start for Spokane County’’: Democrats Waldref, Jordan sworn in as county commissioners,” Spokesman Review (2022)

• KHQ Interview with Sean Owsley discussing ideas to support local business (2022)

• Krem 2 “The Tea” Interview with Amanda Roley (2022)

• The Inlander general election feature on District 1 race (2022)

• Spokesman Review general election coverage (2022)