:Robert Ford (politician)

Ford was born in New Orleans, Louisiana;{{cite web|title=Senator Robert Ford |publisher=South Carolina Senate |url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html |access-date=2009-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202052439/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html |archive-date=2008-12-02 |url-status=dead}} his parents were leaders in the African American community.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=The odd couple|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2009-01-14|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/jan/14/the_odd_couple68284/|access-date=2009-02-17}} Ford attended Wayne State University and Grambling State University, from which he was expelled in 1969 before graduating for leading civil rights demonstrations. He was expelled by the university, despite it being historically black, because it relied on public funds which were controlled by a state government opposed to desegregation. Ford was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference staff from 1966 to 1972 and worked for Martin Luther King Jr. (continuing after King was assassinated) as a member of an advance team of the 1968 Poor People's Campaign.{{cite news|last=Petersen|first=Bo|title=6 recall the horror, sadness of slaying|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-04-08|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/apr/04/recall_horror_sadness_slaying36042/|access-date=2009-02-17}} He was arrested 73 times for participating in protests during the civil rights movement. In 1973, he won a draft evasion trial on basis of conscientious objection. Ford worked as a car salesman{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Ford to focus on return of video poker|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2009-01-14|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/14/ford_focus_on_return_video_poker68317/|access-date=2009-02-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123021409/http://charleston.net/news/2009/jan/14/ford_focus_on_return_video_poker68317/|archive-date=2009-01-23}} and later became a full-time legislator. Ford is a lifelong bachelor.

Ford was elected to serve on the Charleston City Council, where he served from 1974 to 1992. During this time, Councilman Ford was indicted on forgery charges after an annexation petition for the Neck area included the names of dead people.{{Cite web|last=Slade|first=David|date=December 17, 2015|title=Riley's hard-won legacy a growing, thriving city|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/riley-s-hard-won-legacy-a-growing-thriving-city/article_c46c1c96-8d52-521d-ad2d-f5c524e19cb5.html|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Post and Courier|language=en}} However, he was not convicted.

Ford ran for the State Senate and was elected on November 3, 1992,{{cite web|title=South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1992-1993|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|url=http://www.scvotes.org/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_1992-1993.pdf|access-date=2009-02-07}} taking office in 1993. He was reelected in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. He served on the Senate Committees on Banking and Insurance, Corrections and Penology, General, Invitations, Judiciary, and Labor, Commerce and Industry, and was the ranking Democrat on several committees.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Ford, Sheriff address issues|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-11-02|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/02/ford_sheriff_address_issues60134/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723003146/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/02/ford_sheriff_address_issues60134/|archive-date=2012-07-23}} Ford is a member of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.{{cite web|title=Senator Robert Ford |publisher=South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus |url=http://www.sclbc.org/member-details.php?member_id=5 |access-date=2009-02-17 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827092648/http://sclbc.org/member-details.php?member_id=5 |archive-date=August 27, 2009 }} Ford resigned on May 31, 2013 during a brewing campaign finance scandal.

Ford has been described as entertaining, controversial, and politically incorrect.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Ford battles political newcomer Sheriff|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-09-24|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/24/ford_battles_political_newcomer_sheriff55510/|access-date=2009-02-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029053325/http://charleston.net/news/2008/sep/24/ford_battles_political_newcomer_sheriff55510/|archive-date=2008-10-29}} He supported Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries and questioned Barack Obama's appeal to white voters.{{cite news|last=Miller|first=David L.|title=2 Key Black Politicians Endorse Clinton|agency=Associated Press|work=CBS News|date=2007-02-13|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-key-black-politicians-endorse-clinton/|access-date=2009-02-17}} Ford later apologized for his comments, stating that any Democrat could win and that he had supported other African American candidates for president in the past.{{cite news|last=Hunter |first=Jennifer |title=Down to the wire in S. Carolina |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2008-01-26 |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/hunter/761071,CST-NWS-hunter27good.article |access-date=2009-02-08 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302111159/http://www.suntimes.com/news/hunter/761071%2CCST-NWS-hunter27good.article |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }} Ford's comments prompted a primary challenge in 2008 from Charleston lawyer Dwayne Green.{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Green, Ford battle rages|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-05-12|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/12/green_ford_battle_rages40570/|access-date=2009-02-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017074659/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/12/green_ford_battle_rages40570/|archive-date=2008-10-17}} ("While Ford's Senate biography describes his occupation as 'developer,' he said he's a full-time senator.") In the beginning of his campaign, Green managed to raise double the amount of campaign funds Ford raised,{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Green passes Ford in Senate race cash|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-04-16|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/16/green_passes_ford_senate_race_cash37388/|access-date=2009-02-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204142830/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/16/green_passes_ford_senate_race_cash37388/|archive-date=2008-12-04}} and although Ford's fundraising improved{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Race for 9th Circuit pricey|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-06-07|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/jun/07/race_th_circuit_pricey43800/|access-date=2009-02-17}} he for the first time attended a candidate forum to receive free publicity, because his campaign had financial difficulty resulting from the contested primary and a fire in his home.{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Ford changes tactics as his funds run out|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-10-20|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/oct/20/ford_changes_tactics_as_his_funds_run_ou58468/|access-date=2009-02-17}} Green was defeated in the primary election by a wide margin.{{cite web|title=2008 Republican and Democratic Primary|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|date=2008-06-27|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/4186/7382/en/summary.html|access-date=2009-02-07}} Ford praised Obama's election in November 2008, but criticized South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn's family for allegedly attempting to profit off Obama's victory.{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Remarks 'kind of strange'|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-11-26|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/nov/26/remarks_kind_strange63086/|access-date=2009-02-17}}

File:scstatehouse.jpg]]

As senator, Ford has introduced many bills with only a small number becoming law, but has been more successful in contributing to compromise bills. After becoming senator, Ford attempted to have the Confederate flag removed from the South Carolina State House.{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Jeffrey|title=Little local echo for new NAACP flag boycott|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Times and Democrat|date=2008-07-21|url=http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2008/07/21/news/doc488408b59fbdf037990212.txt|access-date=2009-02-17}} It was the last state capitol to display a Confederate battle flag, and Ford had picketed the building in the 1960s as a symbol of discrimination. Following years of debate, the flag was moved to a nearby monument with the adoption of a compromise bill authored by Ford. He was responsible for the passage of a 1998{{cite news|last=Petersen|first=Bo|title=Sen. Ford wants 2 holidays observed|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2009-02-04|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/04/sen_ford_wants_holidays_observed70536/|access-date=2009-02-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209131622/http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/04/sen_ford_wants_holidays_observed70536/|archive-date=2009-02-09}} bill that paired Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Confederate Memorial Day as paid holidays.{{cite news|last=Davenport |first=Jim |title=Bill Would Require Paid Confederate Holiday in SC |agency=Associated Press |work=ABC News |date=2009-02-03 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6798407 |access-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316131422/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6798407 |archive-date=March 16, 2009 }} Ford stated that he hoped the legislation would improve race relations in South Carolina.

Ford described the election of judges by popular vote as a major goal and supported increasing the number of judges.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title='Next step' DNA sampling bill now in Sanford's hands|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-06-30|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/30/next_step_dna_sampling_bill_now_sanfords46052/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202231909/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/30/next_step_dna_sampling_bill_now_sanfords46052/|archive-date=2008-12-02}} He supported giving more authority to law enforcement, including the ability to search people on parole and probation without warrant, making attempted murder a crime with lifelong sentence, and increasing penalties for possession of illegal guns.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Riley enlists crime-fighting posse|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2009-01-30|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/30/riley_enlists_crime_fighting_posse70060/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305091931/http://charleston.net/news/2009/jan/30/riley_enlists_crime_fighting_posse70060/|archive-date=2009-03-05}} Ford is a proponent of stricter regulations of the financial industry.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Legislators join suit over loans|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-09-20|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/sep/20/legislators_join_suit_over_loans16613/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929020207/http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/sep/20/legislators_join_suit_over_loans16613/|archive-date=2008-09-29}} He sponsored a 2006 ban on payday lending,{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Payday lenders might be reined in|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-02-25|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/25/payday_lenders_might_be_reined_in31744/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017131753/http://charleston.net/news/2008/feb/25/payday_lenders_might_be_reined_in31744/|archive-date=2008-10-17}} which was shown to discriminate against African Americans.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Examining rates for blacks|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-10-08|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/08/examining_rates_blacks18484/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211120342/http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/08/examining_rates_blacks18484/|archive-date=2007-12-11}} In 2008, Ford blocked all House bills in the Senate until the bill was taken up.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Ford vies to keep payday bill alive|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-05-21|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/21/ford_vies_keep_payday_bill_alive41595/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304224149/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/21/ford_vies_keep_payday_bill_alive41595/|archive-date=2009-03-04}} The bill failed in the Senate by a close vote and was heavily amended so lenders would not be banned but restricted. The bill then passed with Ford voting in favor but failed to advance after changes made in the House.{{cite news|last=Burris|first=Roddie|title=Lawmakers vs. payday loans: '08 vote was a turning point|newspaper=The State (newspaper)|date=2009-02-15|url=http://www.thestate.com/local/story/685444.html|access-date=2009-02-21}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} A bill preventing consumers from taking out more than one loan at a time passed the House in 2009.{{cite news|last=Adcox|first=Seanna|title=Payday lending bill advances|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Post and Courier|date=2009-02-12|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/12/payday_lending_bill_advances71488/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222023056/http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/12/payday_lending_bill_advances71488/|archive-date=2009-02-22}} Ford supported offshore drilling, stating conservation was not a priority for most citizens of the state.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Ford to propose measure to allow drilling off S.C. coast|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-07-17|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jul/17/ford_propose_measure_allow_drilling_off_47792/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825090059/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jul/17/ford_propose_measure_allow_drilling_off_47792/|archive-date=2008-08-25}} Geologists believe there is little oil to be found off the South Carolina coast.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Bruce|title=Geologists say little oil to drill off S.C. coast|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The State (newspaper)|date=2008-07-17|url=http://www.thestate.com/breakingbiz/story/463636.html|access-date=2009-02-21}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Ford wants to prevent the widening of Interstate 26 through Charleston, calling instead for a study for transportation needs.{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Brian|title=Throttle back on I-26 widening, Ford says|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-05-23|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/may/23/throttle_back_on_i_widening_ford_says/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723055000/http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/may/23/throttle_back_on_i_widening_ford_says/|archive-date=2012-07-23}} Ford emphasized the need for more funding for school programs, which he claimed is necessary due to the small number of pupils attending college{{cite news|last=Courrégé|first=Diette|title=Ford builds on program|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-11-28|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/23/ford_builds_on_program62736/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724122847/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/23/ford_builds_on_program62736/|archive-date=2012-07-24}} and to remedy lacks of knowledge in geography and civics, which he wants reinstated as a school subject.{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Brian|title=Got civics? Does the Electoral College give out scholarships?|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-09-26|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/26/got_civics_does_electoral_college_give_o55857/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928063301/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/26/got_civics_does_electoral_college_give_o55857/|archive-date=2008-09-28}} Ford was told about favoritism, intimidation and racism in the South Carolina Highway Patrol{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Brian|author2=Wenger, Yvonne|title=Patrol to get hard look|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-03-07|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/mar/07/patrol_get_hard_look32980/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207044608/http://charleston.net/news/2008/mar/07/patrol_get_hard_look32980/|archive-date=2009-02-07}} and publicized it with Glenn McConnell.{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Brian|author2=Wenger, Yvonne|title=Files detail trooper misdeeds|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-04-26|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/26/files_detail_trooper_misdeeds38714/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017063457/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/26/files_detail_trooper_misdeeds38714/|archive-date=2008-10-17}} Subsequently, director and deputy director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety resigned under pressure from governor Mark Sanford.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Highway patrol officials resign in wake of racial incidents among troopers|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-02-29|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/29/highway_patrol_officials_resign_wake_racial_incide/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016144617/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/29/highway_patrol_officials_resign_wake_racial_incide/|archive-date=2008-10-16}}

Ford sponsored legislation defining a hate crime "as an assault, intimidation or threat based on 'actual or perceived' race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin and sexual orientation."{{cite news|last=Parker|first=Adam|title=Mom urges hate crime law in S.C.|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-05-27|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/may/27/mom_urges_hate_crime_law_sc/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125231207/http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/may/27/mom_urges_hate_crime_law_sc/|archive-date=2009-01-25}} He also introduced several bills concerning gay rights in lodging,{{cite web|title=2009-2010 Bill 39: Lodging Establishment Act|publisher=South Carolina General Assembly|date=2009-01-14|url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/39.htm|access-date=2009-02-08}} hospital visitation rights{{cite web|title=2009-2010 Bill 40: Authorized visitor designation|publisher=South Carolina General Assembly|date=2009-01-14|url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/40.htm|access-date=2009-02-08}} and partnerships. His partnership bill would provide for civil unions in South Carolina.{{cite web|title=2009-2010 Bill 42: Civil Union Equality Act|publisher=South Carolina General Assembly|date=2009-02-05|url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/42.htm|access-date=2009-02-07}} The effort was judged by state senator Mike Fair as predetermined to fail, but Ford cited the Democratic National Committee's platform on the issue and argued that Barack Obama's election showed that a change should be attempted.{{cite news|last=Kittle|first=Robert|title=State Senator Pushing For Same-Sex Civil Unions In S.C.|publisher=WSPA-TV|date=2009-02-04|url=http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/state_senator_pushing_for_same-sex_civil_unions_in_s.c/14249/|access-date=2009-02-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210045536/http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/state_senator_pushing_for_same-sex_civil_unions_in_s.c/14249/|archive-date=2009-02-10}} Even if passed, the measure would be unenforceable, due to a constitutional amendment banning unions similar to marriage in South Carolina. Ford worked to outlaw profanity{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Larry|title=Sen. Robert Ford pushes to outlaw profanity|publisher=WCBD-TV|date=2009-01-25|url=http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/sen._robert_ford_pushes_to_outlaw_profanity/19213/|access-date=2009-02-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207012923/http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/sen._robert_ford_pushes_to_outlaw_profanity/19213|archive-date=2009-02-07}}{{cite web|title=2009-2010 Bill 56: Profanity|publisher=South Carolina General Assembly|date=2009-01-14|url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/56.htm|access-date=2009-02-08}} and saggy pants and to keep music from minors that is "profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious or indecent."{{cite news|last=Adcox|first=Seanna|title=Ford crusade targets baggy pants|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Post and Courier|date=2009-01-16|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/16/ford_crusade_targets_baggy_pants68600/|access-date=2009-02-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100728024737/http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/16/ford_crusade_targets_baggy_pants68600/|archive-date=2010-07-28}} Ford argued he did not expect these proposals to be approved but wanted to start a discussion specifically targeting young African American men's fashion as well as rap music. He stated: "You don't have to emulate prisoners no more. You can emulate somebody like Barack Obama."

Ford often opposed governor Mark Sanford's political goals, arguing his proposed reforms were unwanted by the public,{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Sanford ready to take on legislators|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-09-07|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2007/sep/07/sanford_ready_take_on_legislators15151/|access-date=2009-02-18}} and he mostly opposed Sanford's fiscal policy and worked to override budget vetoes by the governor, claiming he was removed from the interests of citizens.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Governor's vetoes total $167 million|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-06-28|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2007/jun/28/governors_vetoes_total_million/|access-date=2009-02-18}} An exception were security measures for the State House complex which Ford agreed were too costly.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Statehouse security measures under fire|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-10-11|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/oct/11/statehouse_security_measures_under_fire57539/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015035609/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/oct/11/statehouse_security_measures_under_fire57539/|archive-date=2008-10-15}} He also opposed Sanford's goal to increase the number of roll calls in the State Senate{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Effort to force roll calls begins|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-09-25|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/25/effort_force_roll_calls_begins55763/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728162414/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/25/effort_force_roll_calls_begins55763/|archive-date=2012-07-28}} and voted against a 2008 immigration reform bill favored by Sanford, stating it would be an ineffective deterrent and would lead to less driving safety.{{cite news|last=Haglund|first=Noah|author2=Wenger, Yvonne|title=Human cost of unlicensed drivers|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-06-16|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/16/human_cost_unlicensed_drivers44654/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619214630/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/16/human_cost_unlicensed_drivers44654/|archive-date=2008-06-19}} The reform would have required all employers to use state driver's licenses or a database from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to check the legal status of workers.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Senate votes down immigration bill|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-05-15|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/may/15/senate_votes_down_immigration_bill40956/|access-date=2009-02-18}} Ford co-sponsored a bill with Glenn McConnell that would limit the governor's authority to appoint and remove board members overseeing the Charleston port and increase required qualifications for board members.{{cite news|last=Bird|first=Allyson|title=Senate advances SPA reforms|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2009-02-19|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/19/senate_advances_spa_reforms72281/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801031412/http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/19/senate_advances_spa_reforms72281/|archive-date=2012-08-01}} Ford opposed a bill giving Sanford authority over the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.{{cite news|last=Fretwell|first=Sammy|title=Governor should control DHEC, senators say|newspaper=The State (newspaper)|date=2009-02-04|url=http://www.thestate.com/local/story/673384.html|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207121159/http://www.thestate.com/local/story/673384.html|archive-date=2009-02-07}}

{{Main|South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010}}

Ford ran to succeed Mark Sanford as Governor of South Carolina in the 2010 gubernatorial election. His platform included reinstating video poker to the state to generate returns from taxes on the gaming industry in an effort to balance the state budget,{{cite news|last=Davenport|first=Jim|title=S.C. Democrats lining up for governor's race|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Aiken Standard|date=2009-01-18|url=http://www.aikenstandard.com/State/m1012-BC-SC-SCGovernorRace-1stLd-Writethru-01-18-1017|access-date=2009-03-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110707095415/http://www.aikenstandard.com/State/m1012-BC-SC-SCGovernorRace-1stLd-Writethru-01-18-1017|archive-date=2011-07-07}} something he has proposed since the late 1990s.{{cite news|last=Munday|first=Dave|title=Road funding a priority, legislators say|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2007-08-04|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/aug/04/road_funding_priority_legislators_say12148/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803223412/http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/aug/04/road_funding_priority_legislators_say12148/|archive-date=2012-08-03}} A law Ford sponsored in 2008 to make gambling legal failed to advance;{{cite news|last=Behre|first=Robert|title=Gambling law change unlikely anytime soon|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=2008-04-08|url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/08/gambling_law_change_unlikely_anytime_soo36451/|access-date=2009-02-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017133503/http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/apr/08/gambling_law_change_unlikely_anytime_soo36451/|archive-date=2008-10-17}} he planned a voter referendum to repeal the ban. Ford faced state senator Vincent A. Sheheen of Camden and State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex in a primary election.{{cite news|last=Wenger|first=Yvonne|title=Sheheen wins Dems nomination for governor; Haley and Barrett headed for GOP runoff|newspaper=The Post and Courier|date=June 8, 2010|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jun/08/sheheen-dems-guv-nominee-gop-runoff-possible/|access-date=June 8, 2010}} Sheheen's campaign has raised $33,000 as of January 2009, while Ford's campaign raised $6,000. On June 8, 2010, Ford finished in third place in the primary election with 18 percent of the vote.

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 1992

Primary election, August 25, 1992

Threshold > 50%

Ford won the general election unopposed on November 3, 1992.

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 1996{{cite web|title=South Carolina Election Report 1995-1996|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|date=May 1997|url=http://www.scvotes.org/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_1995-1996.pdf|access-date=2009-02-07}}

Ford did not have a primary opponent on June 11, 1996.

General election, November 5, 1996

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 2000{{cite web|title=South Carolina Election Report 2000|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|url=http://www.scvotes.org/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_2000.pdf|access-date=2009-02-07}}

Primary election

Threshold > 50%

First Ballot, June 13, 2000

Second Ballot, June 27, 2000

Ford won the general election unopposed on November 7, 2000.

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 2004{{cite web|title=2004 Election Report|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|url=http://www.scvotes.org/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_2004.pdf|access-date=2009-02-07|archive-date=2009-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304125626/http://www.scvotes.org/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_2004.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Primary election, June 8, 2004

Threshold > 50%

General election, November 2, 2004

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 2008

Primary election, June 10, 2008

Threshold > 50%

General election, November 4, 2008{{cite web|title=2008 General Election|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|date=2008-11-21|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/8562/13981/en/summary.html|access-date=2009-02-07}}

South Carolina State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District, 2012

Senator Ford was unopposed for reelection in both the Democratic primary{{cite web|title=2012 Republican and Democratic Primary |publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|date=2012-07-31|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/39142/93326/en/summary.html|access-date=2013-06-01}} and the general election.{{cite web|title=2012 General Election|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|date=2013-04-09|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/42513/116143/en/summary.html|access-date=2013-06-01}}

General election, November 6, 2012

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html |title=Senator Robert Ford |publisher=South Carolina Senate |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202052439/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0606818109.html |archive-date=2008-12-02 }}
• {{cite web|url=http://robertfordforgovernor.com/|title=Robert Ford for Governor|publisher=Official Campaign Website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226110757/http://www.robertfordforgovernor.com/|archive-date=2010-02-26}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=3948 | fec= | congress= }}
• Follow the Money - Robert Ford
• [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=103873 2008] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=87048 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=19544 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=7328 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=51093 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=50561 1996] State Senate campaign contributions
• {{C-SPAN|9272086}}

{{good article}}

{{South Carolina State Senators}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford, Robert}}

Category:1948 births

Category:African-American state legislators in South Carolina

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Category:Grambling State University alumni

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Category:Democratic Party South Carolina state senators

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Category:21st-century African-American politicians

Category:20th-century African-American politicians

Category:Candidates in the 2010 United States elections

Category:20th-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly

Category:21st-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly