Benjamin Everett Jordan (September 8, 1896 – March 15, 1974) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senator from North Carolina from 1958 to 1973.
Early life and education
The eldest of six children, B. Everett Jordan was born in Ramseur, North Carolina, to Rev. Henry Harrison and Annie Elizabeth (née Sellars) Jordan. His father was a Methodist minister who also worked as a circuit rider. After receiving his early education at public schools, he attended Rutherford College Preparatory School from 1912 to 1913.
In 1914, Jordan enrolled at Trinity College (now Duke University) in Durham. He served as the company's secretary-treasurer and general manager, later turning over management to his sons in order to focus on his political career. W. Kerr Scott, the husband of Jordan's first cousin, was elected Governor of North Carolina in 1948.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (1963–1973), Jordan led the investigation of Senate aide Bobby Baker in 1964. Jordan supported research in medical science and agriculture, industrial uses of farm products, missile development, and space exploration. Jordan press aide Wes Hayden sustained critical injuries in the shooting; he made a surprisingly swift recovery and returned to his office in just one month. McLeod's motives were unclear, although his mother described him as "nervous and depressed" prior to the incident. He was not believed to be targeting Jordan, whose campaign stop at the shopping center was unannounced.