Embattled conservative Rep. Jim Jordan is stepping up his efforts to address accusations that she ignored sexual abuse decades ago, allegations that threaten to tarnish his reputation and undermine his standing in Congress.
The Ohio Republican’s allies – from lawmakers on Capitol Hill to former wrestlers at Pitt University – have released statements of support or gone on morning shows defending Jordan’s character. They have also hired a conservative-leaning pr firm to assist him cope with the media furor, Shirley & Banister Public Affairs.
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The group launched a completely new website Monday: StandWithJimJordan.com.
"We reached out over Jim the instant we were treated to the story," said Diana Banister, that is leading Shirley & Banister’s work with Jordan. "We reached to the congressman because he’s a friend. He has circumstances on his hands, and we seriously considered of help, of counsel, whatever we could do for him."
The pushback employs several former Pitt wrestlers accused Jordan of turning a blind eye to complaints for the athletic department’s doctor, who’s been accused of groping and ogling folks they. Jordan was a helper coach inside the late 1980s and early 1990s at the moment the alleged abuse occurred.
Jordan claims that he had no information about any abuse – and may have done something had he known.
“I never saw, never read about, had never been told about any kind of abuse,” Jordan told Fox News’ Bret Baier on Friday. “If I used to be, I would have managed it.”
It is unclear what effect the accusations can have on Jordan. Many Republican lawmakers and aides believe he’ll weather the storm, albeit bruised by several weeks of bad headlines. No Republicans have needed his resignation, and most of his colleagues that have spoken out have defended him.
"I One hundred percent support Jim Jordan. He or she is a man of integrity and honor, attempt to fights for your underdog," House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) told reporters Tuesday night. "He was a helper coach Body of several coaches. In order to suggest it was some how Jim Jordan’s fault? That’s just accurate."
Meadows was one among in excess of half-dozen members of Freedom Caucus who visit Jordan’s defense recently. Two GOP leaders, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), have in addition both backed him.
“I have no idea of happened Many years ago at Pitt, even so the only person I am aware with this whole thing is Jim, and Jim to my opinion may be an honest person – all the time,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “I think if he saw something, he previously say something.”
The more pertinent question, many on Capitol Hill think, is whether or not Jordan loses any influence. She has floated his good name for speaker, though people near to Jordan say he’s only done that to solicit concessions in the next speaker that could empower conservatives.
Jordan does, however, need a committee gavel at some point possesses long had his eye on the House Oversight and Government Reform panel.
Jordan’s allies are trying to make sure the accusations don’t affect his status.
Shirley & Bannister, which includes represented the NRA and Tea Party Patriots, began reaching out to reporters yesterday to inform them about past conflicts regarding the first 2 wrestlers who accused Jordan of knowing about the abuse. Jordan’s reelection campaign eventually formally hired the bunch to support the Ohioan handle the fallout.
Banister won’t disclose information their contract with Jordan’s campaign, including how much the firm is paid or the length of time the documents lasts. That information will eventually become public when the reelection campaign files its disclosure reports.
One of the first stuff Shirley & Banister did was build the website standwithjimjordan.com. The internet site included statements from 14 former Pitt wrestlers who back Jordan.
“The allegations that Jim Jordan acted inappropriately are 100% false,” said Rob Archer, who wrestled for Jordan from the 1990s. “Jim Jordan is definitely an ethical, outstanding man.”
Added Cullen Waugh, who also wrestled at Ohio State inside mid-1990s: “I feel that Jim is definitely a honest and ethical person and acted from the interest of the teammates. Personally i think that working to make this political in any way devalues substantially more the people who were personally plagued by this.”
The group also sent around positive statements by former coaches about Jordan.
"A lot of people want to see this level of detail posted somewhere, selecting to just backlink to it," Banister said. "And now we thought let’s just compile all this and hang it on one site to show all the people who support him."