Lioneld Jordan

Last updated

Diana
​
(m. 1976)​
Lioneld Jordan
Mayor Lioneld Jordan at FPL.jpg
Jordan in 2018
51st Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas
In office
January 1, 2009 –December 31, 2024
Children4
AwardsDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award

Lioneld Jordan (born October 13, 1953) is an American politician who served as the 51st Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2024. He defeated incumbent Dan Coody in 2008 and was unseated by Molly Rawn in 2024.

Contents

Early life and education

Lioneld Jordan was born on October 13, 1953, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas as an undergraduate student. [1]

Career

Jordan worked for the University of Arkansas Department of Facilities Management for 26 years as a carpenter and zone supervisor. During this time he became the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 965 and later president of the Northwest Arkansas Labor Council. He was also a member of the University of Arkansas Staff Senate. [1]

Jordan was elected to the Fayetteville City Council in 2000 to represent Ward 4 and was re-elected in 2004. During his second term he served as vice mayor. He unseated incumbent mayor Dan Coody in 2008 and took office on January 1, 2009. He was re-elected in 2012, 2016 and 2020. [2] [3]

As mayor, Jordan prioritized climate action, environmental initiatives and public infrastructure projects. In 2018, Fayetteville became the first city in Arkansas to adopt a 100% clean energy goal. The city was included on the CDP Cities A-List and received the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award in 2019. [4] In 2019, Fayetteville voters approved a $226 million bond package, which funded street improvements, park projects and development of the Cultural Arts Corridor, later named The Ramble. [5]

Jordan sought a fifth term in 2024. He faced three challengers, among them Molly Rawn. Jordan received 16,609 votes to Rawn's 13,068 and the two other candidates' 5,718 [6] and advanced to a December 3 runoff. Rawn unseated Jordan by 262 votes (2.47%). In January 2025, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award. [7]

Personal life

Jordan married his wife, Diana, in 1976. They have four children. [2] [8] Diana was born in Pomona, California, and moved to Springdale, Arkansas when she was 10 years old. [9]

Awards and honors

The Lioneld Jordan Fellowship in Labor and Working Class Studies, named in his honor, is granted by the University of Arkansas. [1] In January 2025, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award [7] and in August he and his wife were inducted into the Fayetteville Public Schools hall of honor. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Honors Alumnus Awarded Lioneld Jordan Fellowship in Labor and Working Class Studies". University of Arkansas News. 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  2. 1 2 "Lioneld Jordan". Vote Smart . Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  3. ↑ Bartholomew, Dustin (2020-11-04). "Lioneld Jordan wins fourth term as Fayetteville mayor". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  4. ↑ Durr, Sara (2019-06-28). "Los Angeles and Fayetteville Mayors Win Top Climate Awards". United States Conference of Mayors. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  5. ↑ Della Rosa, Jeff (2019-04-10). "Fayetteville voters accept $226 million bond issue, Cultural Arts Corridor narrowly passes". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  6. ↑ "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS". Washington County, AR. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  7. 1 2 Gill, Todd (2025-01-28). "Former Mayor Lioneld Jordan honored for civil rights advocacy, support of education". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
  8. ↑ Helms, Chelsea (2020-10-22). "Meet Fayetteville Mayor, candidate Lioneld Jordan". KNWA FOX24. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  9. 1 2 Ryburn, Stacy (2025-08-08). "Fayetteville Public Education Foundation announces newest inductees to hall of honor". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
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