Andrews – With a notable Andrews Police Department presence, the Andrews Board of Aldermen’s meeting Thursday erupted after Alderman Steve Jordan said his piece over the ruling denying his eligibility to run for re-election.
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Jordan said he “poured my heart and soul into Andrews since the ’90s, and there’s a certain one trying to run me out. Every time Andrews has needed something, I’ve tried to be there. I just had that on my mind.”
Mayor James Reid described what he called the backstory of Jordan’s candidacy being challenged by Mayor Pro Tem James Mclean and the decision to deny Jordan’s candidacy at a Cherokee County Board of Elections hearing on Aug. 7.
“We did have a hearing last week, and they determined that Steve does not live in the city limits. He has appealed to the next level, and if he loses that one he can appeal to another level, and we could be looking at a late election this year,” Reid said.
Reid said he previously asked Jordan to have the town annex his actual residence. He added that he knew Jordan has “the best heart of anyone in this town. He cares. But you’re held to a higher standard.”
“This is not one person,” Reid said. “This is not a personal attack. When Mr. Mclean came into office he told me, ‘James, you do one thing wrong and the world’s gonna come down on you.’ I did not campaign for James Mclean, and I thought he would be the worst thing for Andrews, but he’s in town hall every single day. And if he sees something that is not above board, he questions it.”
Shortly after Reid’s comments, members of the packed meeting started asking questions of Jordan, including Alderman Ted Paul. A back and forth with Jordan ensued, wherein he stated again, “My house is 116 Graham St.”
One member of the audience said they did not feel it was “fair to be attacking Steve like this.”
Jordan appeals
Jordan filed an appeal with the N.C. State Board of Elections, as is his right under the law.
“The state board shall base its appellate decision on the whole record of the hearing conducted by the panel or county board of elections,” according to the state board. “The state board will not consider new evidence on appeal. The ‘whole record’ test requires the examination of all the evidence in the record to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support a decision.”
“Substantial evidence” is defined as “relevant evidence a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
The state board will render its opinion “on an expedited basis.” However, no timeline is given for expediting the appeal.
County decision
The Cherokee County Board of Elections voted 4-1 against Jordan’s candidacy qualification in a hearing Aug. 7 at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy. In its finding of facts, the board concluded:
- That the candidate sleeps at different places, including 116 Graham St.
- The stepdaughter and granddaughter of the candidate live at 116 Graham St.
- No evidence was offered by the purported residents of 116 Graham St. as pertains to the presence of the candidate at that address.
- The challenger has not seen the truck belonging to the candidate at 116 Graham St. in several months.
- Joe Freeman, who lives at 119 Graham St., said he sees no indication that the candidate lives at 116 Graham St., and that the candidate’s wife mows the grass at that address.
- No evidence was offered other than the testimony of the candidate that he resides at 116 Graham St. or at any other address within the town limits of Andrews.
- An opportunity was given to all in attendance at the hearing to present evidence to the board regarding the issue at hand and none came forward.
- No evidentiary value or weight was given to Mclean exhibit 1, a statement alleging that Jordan doesn’t live at 116 Graham St., in that it was not in the form of an affidavit and Mclean did not testify.
It is unclear what steps the board of aldermen may take about Jordan’s current term in office. The appeals process seems to shield his position for now. Jordan was running for re-election among five candidates competing for two seats on the board.