Craig Ford | |
---|---|
Mayor of Gadsden | |
Assumed office November 7, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Sherman Guyton |
Minority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives | |
In office December 8,2010 –February 22,2017 | |
Preceded by | Mike Hubbard |
Succeeded by | Anthony Daniels |
Member of the AlabamaHouseofRepresentatives from the 28th district | |
In office 2000 –November 7,2018 | |
Preceded by | Joe Ford |
Succeeded by | Gil Isbell |
Personal details | |
Born | Gadsden,Alabama,U.S. | May 21,1968
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | Gwen Ford |
Alma mater | Auburn University |
Website | Official Campaign website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | Alabama Army National Guard |
Rank | Major |
Unit | National Guard |
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]
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]
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]