Craig Ford

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]

Craig Ford
Mayor of Gadsden
Assumed office
November 7, 2022
Preceded bySherman Guyton
Minority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office
December 8, 2010 – February 22, 2017
Preceded byMike Hubbard
Succeeded byAnthony Daniels
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 28th district
In office
2000 – November 7, 2018
Preceded byJoe Ford
Succeeded byGil Isbell
Personal details
Born (1968-05-21) May 21, 1968
Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyIndependent
SpouseGwen Ford
Alma materAuburn University
WebsiteOfficial Campaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceAlabama Army National Guard
RankCaptain
UnitNational Guard

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.[4] 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.[4]

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

References
  1. Confirmation of Committee Registration Filing
  2. "Former state Rep. Craig Ford elected Gadsden mayor". Alabama Policital Reporter. September 22, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  3. Wise, Erin (November 7, 2022). "'We are going to give you hope': Gadsden mayor, city council and school board sworn in". WBMA-LD. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. "Representative Craig Ford". Alabama House of Representatives. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  5. Beyerle, Dana (November 1, 2011). "Rep. Craig Ford says he's been approached about running for governor and is interested". The Gadsden Times. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  6. Lyman, Brian (September 13, 2013). "Gadsden Democrat Craig Ford targets school tax credits". Montgomery Advertiser. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  7. Sims, Cliff (December 31, 2013). "Alabama Democrats renew push for statewide lottery". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  8. Denley, Brianne. "Rep. Craig Ford says he will support impeachment if Bentley doesn't resign". wbrc fox news. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  9. Cason, Mike. "Alabama Democratic Chairwoman Nancy Worley didn't pay fines in 2012 case, records show". AL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  10. Moseley, Brandon. "Craig Ford Calls on Joe Reed and Nancy Worley to Resign". ALReporter.com. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  11. "Craig Ford announces his bid for Gadsden mayor, cites experience and passion". The Gadsden Times. November 14, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  12. Monger, Craig (September 21, 2022). "Former House Democratic leader Craig Ford wins Gadsden mayoral race". 1819 News. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
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