Johnny Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Ford
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| Mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama | |
| In office 2012–2016 |
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| Preceded by | Omar Neal |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence F. Haygood, Jr. |
| In office 2004–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Lucenia Williams Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Omar Neal |
| In office 1972–1996 |
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| Preceded by | Charles M. Keever |
| Succeeded by | Ronald D. Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1942 Midway, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before–2003; 2010–present) Republican (2003–2010) |
Johnny L. Ford (born August 23, 1942) is an American politician. He has served many times as the mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama. He was also a state representative in Alabama.
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Early Life and Education
Johnny Ford grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama. He went to elementary school there. He also graduated from Tuskegee Institute High School.
He earned his first college degree (a B.A.) 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 Catholic. He is married and has three children named John, Christopher, and Tiffany.
Johnny Ford's Political Career
Johnny Ford first became mayor of Tuskegee in 1972. He was one of the first African American mayors elected in Alabama for a city with more than 10,000 people. This was a big step forward in modern times.
He served as mayor for six terms. A "term" is a period of time a politician holds office. In 1996, he lost the election to Ronald D. Williams.
Serving in the State Legislature
Two years later, in 1998, Ford ran for a different job. He won a seat as a State Representative for the 82nd District. This district covers Macon County. He served in this role from 1999 to 2004.
In 2003, Johnny Ford changed his political party. He switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. This made him the first African American Republican in Alabama's state legislature in over 100 years.
Returning to the Mayor's Office
Ford preferred being mayor. So, he left his job in the state legislature. In 2004, he ran for mayor of Tuskegee again and won. He defeated Lucenia Williams Dunn, who was the first African American woman mayor of Tuskegee.
In 2008, Ford ran for an eighth term as mayor. It was a close election with five candidates. Omar Neal won the election, defeating Ford. Since 1992, no mayor in Tuskegee has been re-elected for a second term right after their first.
Leadership Beyond Tuskegee
Johnny Ford has also held important leadership roles outside of Tuskegee. He founded and leads the World Conference of Mayors. He is also the founder and President-emeritus of the National Conference of Black Mayors.
He was part of special committees that advised the U.S. President on government and trade. Ford also served as President of the Alabama League of Municipalities. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and founded the Tuskegee Optimist Club.
Later Elections
In 2010, Ford rejoined the Democratic Party. He ran for a state Senate seat but lost the election.
In 2012, Johnny Ford ran for mayor of Tuskegee once more. He won the election against the current mayor, Omar Neal. This meant he was sworn in for an eighth term as mayor, which was a record for Tuskegee.
