Jordan campaigns in Lima

Oct. 27—LIMA — Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were written in the Declaration of Independence at the beginning of the United States. Many new and innovative ideas have been birthed from those who had opportunities including the Wright Brothers. Two Dayton, Ohio natives who pursued a dream to fly.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) spoke on this dream that came to life and many others at the Lima Noon Optimist Club Wednesday afternoon. Author David McCullough highlighted the journey of the two brothers that created a new wave of transportation.

"The Wright Brothers were just amazing individuals," said Jordan. "They just decided that they were going to do it. They decided they were going to be the first to take off, fly and land. In the book, it says 'someone once asked Orville Wright what it means to be successful: pick out two good parents and be born in Ohio'. The real message is to pick out two good parents and be born in America."

Jordan is running to represent the 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has represented Ohio since 2007. In the coming election, he will be racing against Democratic candidate Tamie Wilson.

Jordan said he is concerned about the nature of this country if it is no longer valued. While speaking to the local club, he addressed the judicial branch.

"14 whistle blowers (FBI agents) have come to our because they are so concerned because of what is going on," said Jordan. "In the last two months, they have raided the home of a former president, taken the phone of a sitting member in Congress and raided the home of a pro-life activist. That is scary."

The cell phone of Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) was seized by the FBI in August in relation to the investigation into former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn results of the 2020 election.

The "pro-life activist" refers to Mark Houck, a Pennsylvania man charged with assaulting a reproductive healthcare clinic escort in violation of the Freedom to Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which makes attacking a reproductive healthcare worker a federal crime.

Jordan hopes to focus on protecting the first and second amendment rights of the people. Jordan said he believes this election will focus on four major issues plus freedom. The Congressman said we went from a secure border to no border, safe streets to record crime, $2 gas to $5 gas and stable prices to 41-year high inflation.

While the number of individuals encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection continues to grow month-over-month, CBP says the number is "driven largely by an increased number of asylum seekers fleeing authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua."

According to the FBI, violent crime in Ohio and nationally has ticked up slightly since 2020, but still remains far below the record levels seen in the early 1990s.

AAA notes the national average price of a gallon of gasoline at $3.76 on Wednesday, and the price of gasoline has been falling steadily since its highs during the summer of 2022.

"When you boil it all down that is what this election comes down to," said Jordan. "The four big issues, every one of them is intentional. The border being wide open is intentional. Inflation is intentional it has to be. They spend like crazy. They pay people not to work and they drove up the cost of energy. It does not take a genius to figure out you are going to have record inflation. The only course of action you have is to stop it. The only way to stop it is on election day."

While Jordan said a number of things are intentional, and he ascribed intention to Democrats generically, he offered few specifics to support his claims.

Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351