Craig Ford Explained

Craig Ford
Office:Mayor of Gadsden
Term Start:November 7, 2022
Predecessor:Sherman Guyton
Office1:Minority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives
Term Start1:December 8, 2010
Term End1:February 22, 2017
Predecessor1:Mike Hubbard
Successor1:Anthony Daniels
State House2:Alabama
District2:28th
Term Start2:2000
Term End2:November 7, 2018
Predecessor2:Joe Ford
Successor2:Gil Isbell
Birth Date:21 May 1968
Birth Place:Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.
Spouse:Gwen Ford
Alma Mater:Auburn University
Website:Official Campaign website
Allegiance: United States
Branch:Alabama Army National Guard
Unit:National Guard
Rank:Captain

Jon Craig Ford[1] (born May 21, 1968) was an Independent member of the Alabama House of Representatives. He was the House Minority Leader from 2010 to 2016. He currently serves as mayor of Gadsden, Alabama.[2] [3]

Personal life and education

Ford graduated from Auburn University in 1991, with a degree in marketing. His wife, Gwen Glover, teaches at Gadsden State Community College. Ford's father, Joe Ford, served in the Alabama House for 26 years.[4]

Career

Ford was elected to the Alabama House in 2000, succeeding his father. In 2010, Ford was elected House Minority Leader. Ford serves on the Ways and Means - Education Committee, and the Commerce and Small Business Committee. Ford considered running for governor in 2014.[5]

Ford has proposed repealing the Alabama Accountability Act, proposing instead to spend more money on Alabama's Pre-K program and the Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative.[6] Ford has led an effort to introduce a state lottery, with the revenue going to education spending.[7]

Ford was among the first lawmakers to call for former Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to resign or be impeached for misusing taxpayer dollars and state resources.[8] Ford also stood up to the Democratic Party's leadership and called for their resignation in light of their own failed leadership and accusations of corruption.[9] [10]

March 2018, Ford announced he is running in Alabama Senate District 10 as an Independent, a seat held by Sen. Phil Williams of Rainbow City, who is not seeking reelection.

Ford co-owns Hodges-Ford Insurance, as well as The Messenger, a weekly newspaper. Ford serves as a captain in the Alabama Army National Guard.

On November 14, 2021, Ford announced that he was running for mayor of Gadsden.[11] Ford won the runoff election 62%-38%.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/Reporting/IFrameImagePopUp.aspx?DocumentID=155652 Confirmation of Committee Registration Filing
  2. Web site: Former state Rep. Craig Ford elected Gadsden mayor . Alabama Policital Reporter . 16 June 2023 . 22 September 2022.
  3. Web site: Wise . Erin . 'We are going to give you hope': Gadsden mayor, city council and school board sworn in . . 16 June 2023 . 7 November 2022.
  4. Web site: Representative Craig Ford . Alabama House of Representatives . September 28, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131003045812/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd028.html . October 3, 2013 . mdy-all .
  5. News: Beyerle . Dana . Rep. Craig Ford says he's been approached about running for governor and is interested . September 28, 2013 . The Gadsden Times . November 1, 2011.
  6. News: Lyman . Brian . Gadsden Democrat Craig Ford targets school tax credits . September 28, 2013 . Montgomery Advertiser . September 13, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927035146/http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20130913/NEWS/309120048/Gadsden-Democrat-Craig-Ford-targets-school-tax-credits . September 27, 2013 . mdy-all .
  7. News: Sims . Cliff . Alabama Democrats renew push for statewide lottery . January 3, 2014 . Yellowhammer News . December 31, 2013.
  8. Web site: Denley . Brianne . Rep. Craig Ford says he will support impeachment if Bentley doesn't resign . wbrc fox news . April 2016 . 3 July 2018.
  9. Web site: Cason . Mike . Alabama Democratic Chairwoman Nancy Worley didn't pay fines in 2012 case, records show . AL.com . 13 March 2017.
  10. Web site: Moseley . Brandon . Craig Ford Calls on Joe Reed and Nancy Worley to Resign . ALReporter.com . October 19, 2016 . 19 October 2016.
  11. Web site: Craig Ford announces his bid for Gadsden mayor, cites experience and passion . . 16 June 2023 . 14 November 2021.
  12. Web site: Monger . Craig . Former House Democratic leader Craig Ford wins Gadsden mayoral race . 1819 News . 16 June 2023 . 21 September 2022.