politician born december american politician served democratic member south_carolina senate representing located charleston served member originally involved civil rights movement ford public statements legislative proposals senator attracted media attention controversy finished place june democratic primary election governor south_carolina resigned midst political scandal public funds spent adult establishments personal life ford born new_orleans louisiana parents leaders african american community ford attended expelled graduating leading civil rights demonstrations expelled university despite historically black relied public funds controlled state government opposed ford member southern christian leadership conference staff worked member advance team arrested times participating protests civil rights movement won draft trial basis objection ford worked car salesman later time legislator ford lifelong bachelor political career ford elected serve served ran elected november taking office reelected served senate committees banking insurance general judiciary labor commerce industry ranking democrat committees ford member ford resigned campaign finance scandal ford described entertaining controversial politically incorrect supported hillary_clinton democratic presidential questioned barack_obama appeal white voters ford later apologized comments stating democrat win supported african american candidates president past ford comments prompted primary challenge charleston lawyer beginning campaign green managed raise double campaign funds ford raised ford fundraising improved time attended candidate forum receive free publicity campaign financial difficulty resulting contested primary fire home green defeated primary election wide margin ford praised obama election november criticized south_carolina congressman family allegedly attempting profit obama victory political positions senator ford introduced bills small number law successful contributing compromise bills senator ford attempted confederate flag removed south_carolina state house state capitol display confederate battle flag ford building 1960s symbol discrimination following years debate flag moved nearby monument adoption compromise bill authored ford responsible passage bill paired day confederate memorial day paid holidays ford stated hoped legislation improve race relations south_carolina ford described election judges popular vote major goal supported increasing number judges supported giving authority law enforcement including ability search people parole probation warrant making attempted murder crime lifelong sentence increasing penalties possession illegal guns ford proponent regulations financial industry sponsored ban lending shown african americans ford blocked house bills senate bill taken bill failed senate close vote heavily amended banned restricted bill passed ford voting favor failed advance changes house bill preventing consumers taking loan time passed house ford supported offshore drilling stating conservation priority citizens state believe little oil found south_carolina coast ford wants prevent widening interstate charleston calling instead study transportation needs ford emphasized need funding school programs claimed necessary small number pupils attending college remedy lacks knowledge geography wants reinstated school subject ford told intimidation racism publicized subsequently director deputy director resigned pressure governor ford sponsored legislation defining hate crime assault intimidation threat based actual perceived race religion color sex age national origin sexual orientation introduced bills concerning gay rights lodging hospital rights partnerships partnership bill provide civil unions south_carolina effort judged state senator fail ford cited platform issue argued barack_obama election showed change attempted passed measure constitutional amendment banning unions similar marriage south_carolina ford worked outlaw profanity pants music minors vulgar ford argued expect proposals approved wanted start discussion specifically targeting young african american men fashion rap music stated don emulate prisoners emulate somebody like barack_obama ford opposed governor political goals arguing proposed reforms unwanted public opposed fiscal policy worked budget governor claiming removed interests citizens exception security measures complex ford agreed costly opposed goal increase number roll calls voted immigration reform bill favored stating ineffective lead driving safety reform required employers use state driver licenses database check legal status workers ford sponsored bill limit governor authority appoint remove board members overseeing charleston port increase required qualifications board members ford opposed bill giving authority gubernatorial candidacy ford ran succeed governor south_carolina gubernatorial election platform included video poker state generate returns taxes gaming industry effort balance state budget proposed late 1990s law ford sponsored gambling legal failed advance planned voter referendum repeal ban ford faced state senator state superintendent education primary election campaign raised january ford campaign raised june ford finished place primary election percent vote electoral history south_carolina state senator primary election august threshold ford won general election unopposed november south_carolina state senator ford primary opponent june general election november south_carolina state senator primary election threshold ballot june june ford won general election unopposed november south_carolina state senator primary election june threshold general election november south_carolina state senator primary election june threshold general election november south_carolina state senator senator ford unopposed reelection democratic primary general election general election november
Robert Ford (politician)