Jordan Long is a name that many people in the Martin community know well. From his involvement in government from a young age, his role in the business community in Martin, to his recent controversial gun bill at UTM, many students, faculty members and members of the community are familiar with his name.
Born in 1996 in Martin,Tennessee, Jordan Long is a 21-year-old, third year senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Long is political science major and minoring in marketing, with hopes to rise through the ranks in the Tennessee legislature. He plans to attend Murray State University next Spring for graduate school while living in Martin. Long owns a creative marketing company called Blue Collar Creative and works as a salesman at the local men’s clothing shop, Five Seasons. Long currently serves as the Student Government Association President.
Even though he’s a full-time student, Long is already planning his next political move. Growing up in Martin and Weakley County has made Long familiar with the economic development climate; and made him realize that he is not satisfied with it. Long believes that the economic development committee is stagnant after years of uncontested elections and is unwilling to make the necessary changes. So he has decided to run for county commissioner on the Republican ballot.
The county commissioner has a broad reach and is active in many county-wide commissions ranging from the airport board, to the public works commission, to budget appropriations. There are two county commissioners who each serve for four years. The time commitment for county commissioner is low but Long plans to be overly involved since, according to Jordan, “that’s what we need.”
With a meager salary, county commission candidates don’t run for the money. Luckily, Long isn’t running for the money.
He believes that the county is outdated and is being left behind in terms of economic growth. One example Long gave of the change that is necessary is the age of the incumbents. Both incumbents are in their 70s, one of whom does not have internet connectivity at his house. Long believes that the current county commission fears change, but in his words, “Change isn’t bad, change is necessary.”
One area that Long sees room for improvement in is working between the county and the University. Most towns with universities in them work together to help grow the local economy. Long believes that Weakley County is so outdated and that members of the county commission are so resistant to change that they have fallen behind.
Another issue that Long believes in heavily is Fiber Optic internet connectivity. With more and more businesses in Martin needing the faster connection speeds and with the University becoming interested in it, Long, who describes himself as a, “big fiber guy,” believes the county should do everything in its power to bring Fiber technology to Weakley County.
With a long history of a family involvement in politics ranging back to the 1920’s, it is no surprise that Long is seeking a position in government.
Long’s parents came to Martin in the early 90’s and have been involved in local politics ever since. Long’s family is in full support of his decision to run.
Since his family lives on a farm outside town, Long is also familiar with issues that many rural residents face such as bad roads and little to no internet connection. The two other candidates that are running are incumbents but Long believes that other people are ready for a change as well and he is hopeful for his election. The primary election is May 1st and with no democratic candidates, the primary is the deciding election. Long plans to use many campaign tactics such as door knocking and community outreach, but he also believes that he can use Facebook and a new website to appeal to the younger voters, something the previous candidates have not done.
Jordan Long is ready for a change in Weakley County and believes that it is necessary to grow the economy both in Weakley County, and in West Tennessee.
