Jordan Takes Faith in Fact and Fortitude to Capitol Freshman Legislator Keeps Lower Profile as He Learns the Political Ropes

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Byline: Thomas B. Pfankuch, Times-Union staff writer

TALLAHASSEE -- Even the people who clean toilets for a living are important to Rep. Stan Jordan.

Jordan, a Republican from Jacksonville, has learned through a long career in politics that the way to be successful is to forge positive relationships with as many people as possible, including those who are paid to sweep floors and clean bathrooms.

And that philosophy has carried over to the Legislature, where Jordan is serving his first session after 16 years as an outspoken member of the Duval County School Board.

"I always like to establish special relationships with the folks who do low-profile jobs because they'll go to the wall for you then," Jordan, 63, said last week.

To that end, Jordan made his first official legislative duty Thursday the writing of a letter to the House sergeant at arms thanking him and his staff for responding to lawmakers' requests. Oh, and also for keeping the Capitol bathrooms so clean.

But Jordan also knows how to make contacts with people in more powerful positions. Jordan took a few minutes Thursday to meet with Rep. Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, the House Rules chairman who has the power to determine which lawmakers get their bills heard on the House floor.

Jordan innocently and humbly queried Byrd about why lawmakers don't get a staff analysis of every bill that comes before a committee for a vote.

Byrd politely told Jordan that compared to the seven-member Duval County School Board, things are much different in the 160-member Legislature and that Jordan must just accept it.

Jordan's visit, …