kids encyclopedia robot

Johnny Ford facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Ford
Johnny Ford.jpg
Mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama
In office
2012–2016
Preceded by Omar Neal
Succeeded by Lawrence F. Haygood, Jr.
In office
2004–2008
Preceded by Lucenia Williams Dunn
Succeeded by Omar Neal
In office
1972–1996
Preceded by Charles M. Keever
Succeeded by Ronald D. Williams
Personal details
Born (1942-08-23) August 23, 1942 (age 82)
Midway, Alabama, U.S.
Political party Democratic
(before–2003; 2010–present)
Republican
(2003–2010)

Johnny L. Ford is an American politician. He was born on August 23, 1942. Mr. Ford is well-known for serving many terms as the mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama. He also served as an Alabama State Representative.

Early Life and School

Johnny Ford grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama. He went to elementary school there. He also graduated from Tuskegee Institute High School.

Mr. Ford earned a college degree in History and Sociology from Knoxville College. Later, he received a Master's degree in Public Administration from Auburn University Montgomery. He has also been given four special honorary doctorate degrees.

Personal Life

Johnny Ford is a member of the Catholic Church. He married a White woman in a Catholic ceremony. At that time, laws in Alabama made it difficult for people of different races to marry. They have three children named John, Christopher, and Tiffany.

Political Career Highlights

Becoming Mayor of Tuskegee

Johnny Ford was first elected mayor of Tuskegee in 1972. He was one of the first Black mayors elected in Alabama. These mayors led cities with more than 10,000 people in the modern era. Another early Black mayor was Algernon J. Cooper from Prichard.

Ford served as mayor for six terms. This means he was mayor for many years. In 1996, he lost the election to Ronald D. Williams. Mr. Williams had worked for Ford before.

Serving in the State Legislature

After his time as mayor, Ford ran for a new role. In 1998, he won a seat as a State Representative. He represented the 82nd District from Macon County. He served in this role from 1999 to 2004.

In 2003, he changed his political party. He joined the Republican Party. This made him the first Black Republican in the Alabama state legislature in over 100 years.

Returning to the Mayor's Office

Johnny Ford preferred being mayor. So, he left his job in the state legislature. He ran for mayor again in 2004. He won against Lucenia Williams Dunn, who was the first Black woman mayor of Tuskegee. Ford won with 54% of the votes.

In 2008, Ford ran for an eighth term as mayor. It was a close election with five candidates. Omar Neal won the election. He defeated Ford in a runoff vote. Since 2008, Tuskegee has not reelected a mayor for a second term in a row.

Leadership Beyond Tuskegee

Mr. Ford is also a founder and leader of important organizations. He founded the World Conference of Mayors. He is also the founder and President-emeritus of the National Conference of Black Mayors.

He has also served on special committees for the U.S. government. These committees advised on how different levels of government work together. He was also a past President of the Alabama League of Municipalities. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and founded the Tuskegee Optimist Club.

Later Elections

In 2010, Ford rejoined the Democratic Party. He ran for a state Senate seat. He lost that election to Billy Beasley.

In 2012, Johnny Ford ran for mayor of Tuskegee again. He won the primary election against the current mayor, Omar Neal. Ford received 57% of the votes. This meant he did not need a runoff election. He was then sworn in for his eighth term as mayor. This was a special achievement, as it was his eighth time serving as mayor, though not all in a row.

kids search engine
Johnny Ford Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.