OMAHA, Neb. — Many journalists travel up the steps to the state capitol to report on the issues affecting Nebraskans. Few have done that more than Joe Jordan.

News Channel Nebraska’s chief political reporter has made a career out of holding those in power accountable. His career spans more than five decades and multiple states. Jordan has been reporting in Nebraska since 1980.

After 51 years in the business, Joe Jordan is set to retire.

“Very quickly I realized that’s what I wanted to do," Jordan said. "I wanted to be in position to tell people stories about things that affected their lives.”

That’s what Jordan has done ever since his start in Chicago radio in 1973. He transitioned to TV in Indiana and Iowa before landing at KMTV in Omaha in 1980. There, he honed his skills as a political reporter.

“I really enjoyed the ability to be able to ask politicians what I would consider aggressive questions,” Jordan said.

He got that chance with six different United States presidents and countless state and local leaders. When doing so, he always had a childhood memory of watching TV with his dad as a guiding light.

“He was looking at ‘Meet the Press’ and he said, ‘don’t let the guy get off the hook with that.’ That was always in the back of my head as I went through this," Jordan said. "I always wanted to be the guy that was asking the questions that — I don’t know if they make people uncomfortable — but I think they were questions that always wanted to be answered.”

Jordan left KMTV in 2009 to start Nebraska Watchdog. He ran the non-profit online news site for six years before becoming press secretary for Congressman Brad Ashford. Jordan returned to TV in 2017 with News Channel Nebraska.

“I’ve always felt that television is a great opportunity because it’s a very personal medium,” Jordan said. “Your’e in their living room. They’re letting you sit there with them and they’re watching you talk to these folks.”

Jordan’s award-winning work was noticed by those he covered. 

“Joe Jordan is a giant among Nebraska journalists,” U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, who hired Jordan at NCN, said in a statement. “His political reporting has rightfully earned him the respect of Nebraskans and those in public service. Many don’t know what a devoted father and husband Joe is and he has my utmost respect.”

“I’ve had Republicans tell me, ‘oh he’s a Democrat.’ I’ve had Democrats tell me, ‘oh that guy’s a Republican.’ The fact that I get that, to me, is the basis of people knowing that what they’re getting from me is legitimate, straight-arrow reporting,” Jordan said.

We may not have seen the last of Jordan on TV. He might still help out with some special reports. But for now, he’s focused on retirement. That means spending more time with his family, including his wife of 37 years, Deb, his five children and eight grandchildren. That’s time certainly well earned.