Robert Ford (politician)

Robert Ford (born December 26, 1948) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate from 1993 to 2013, representing District 42, which is located in Charleston.

Originally involved in the civil rights movement, several of Ford's public statements and legislative proposals as senator attracted media attention and controversy.

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.

[6] During this time, Councilman Ford was indicted on forgery charges after an annexation petition for the Neck area included the names of dead people.

[15] Ford later apologized for his comments, stating that any Democrat could win[15] and that he had supported other African American candidates for president in the past.

[25] 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.

[37] Ford was told about favoritism, intimidation and racism in the South Carolina Highway Patrol[38] and publicized it with Glenn McConnell.

[40] 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.

[44] 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.

[45] Even if passed, the measure would be unenforceable, due to a constitutional amendment banning unions similar to marriage in South Carolina.

"[48] 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.

[53] 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.

[55] Ford opposed a bill giving Sanford authority over the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

[58] A law Ford sponsored in 2008 to make gambling legal failed to advance;[59] he planned a voter referendum to repeal the ban.