Candidate for State Senate District 10, Craig Ford, paid a visit to the WEIS Radio studios this week and discussed a long list of issues with morning show host Jerry Baker. The conversation began with Ford giving some background on his military service and his dedication to honoring all those serving in the military, both past and present, and making sure that veterans and their families are cared for – receiving all the benefits that they’re earned and rightfully deserve:
Ford shared with WEIS Radio listeners his thoughts on bringing something to the county to further honor local veterans and his belief that prayer should be back in schools:
Ford also discussed his eighteen plus years of service in the field of politics, including his long-standing friendship with Representative Richard Lindsey, and recent work in helping pave the way for the opening of Leesburg’s new boat ramp:
Other topics during of conversation included:
- Protecting our Water Rights in Alabama
- Tourism in Cherokee County and the importance of protecting Weiss Lake
- Sponsorship of a Bill to start School later in the year (which would still allow LOCAL School Board control)
- Support for letting the people of Alabama vote on a statewide lottery – which would act as a means of increasing revenue without raising taxes – and have the proceeds go into the Education Fund
- Upkeep and repair of roads and bridges, and completing four-laning of Highway 411
And that’s just part of the list. To hear the interview in its entirety, simply click on the link below:
As the interview was winding up Ford was asked if there was anything else he would like to add:
For additional information on the Craig Ford campaign for State Senate, District 10 visit the links below:
“There are too many people in Montgomery who are more worried about right wing and left wing politics than they are about plain old right and wrong. We need a new way of thinking in Montgomery. We need people who are problem solvers. My promise to the voters is that I will work with anyone – and stand up to anyone – to do what’s right for our area. That’s who I am, and that’s why I’m running as an Independent.”
~Craig Ford
Craig Ford is a native and lifelong resident of Gadsden. After receiving a marketing degree from Auburn University in 1991, he returned to Etowah County with a personal and professional commitment to his community.
Craig is the owner of Hodges-Ford Insurance and The Messenger, a weekly newspaper. He is proud to represent Gadsden and Etowah County in the Alabama House of Representatives – a seat formerly held by his father, the late Representative Joe Ford.
As a state representative, Craig has shown he has the ability to work with other state leaders to get things done, but also has the courage to stand up to those in power when they are wrong.
In the Legislature, Craig has made education and the lottery his top priorities, and has secured millions of dollars for local roads and bridges. Craig also wrote the bill that created the Industrial Development Authority and saved more than 1,400 jobs – and created 190 more – at the Gadsden Goodyear plant.
Craig’s life has always been about serving our state and our country. That’s why he followed in his father’s footsteps and chose to both run for office and serve in the military. Craig has more than 16 years of honorable service in the Alabama National Guard and Army Reserve, where his service included time as a tank platoon commander and as Officer In Charge of the gun range at Ft. McClellan.
From an early age, Craig developed a passion for sports – especially football and baseball – while watching his “Uncle Danny” (Joe’s brother) coach Clemson’s football team to their first national championship. That passion led Craig to begin coaching local youth baseball and softball teams, and is one of biggest reasons Craig has taken on the challenge of building a local mega sports complex.
Above all, Craig Ford is a family man and a man of faith. He is an active member of Church of the Highlands, and a proud husband (wife, Gwen) and father (Jonathan and Wells Elizabeth).
Enjoyed attending the Cherokee County High School football game tonight with my good friend, Bruce Taliaferro! Bruce is a firefighter who lives in Cherokee County, and he has been a huge help to my campaign. Thank you, Bruce! And Go Warriors!
~September 1st
EDUCATION
Education is the single most important issue in this campaign! In the House of Representatives, Craig led the fight against charter schools and the “Accountability Act” program that takes money out of public schools to pay for scholarships to private schools (38% of the schools receiving scholarships are not even accredited!). Craig continues to stand up to those who want to raid the education budget to pay for prisons and other government programs. Craig believes that everyone between the ages of 4 and 64 should either be in a good school or a good job! That’s why Craig continues to support the state’s pre-K program (which is consistently ranked as one of the top pre-K programs in the entire country), fight for more investment in career technical and computer and technology training. Craig is also leading the charge for a state lottery to provide every student with the opportunity to attend a community college or university and earn a degree or professional certification.
LOTTERY
Craig is the loudest voice in Montgomery calling for a state lottery, and introduces a lottery bill every year. In 2016, Craig personally secured the votes needed in the State House of Representatives to pass a lottery after it failed on the first vote (that lottery bill ultimately died in the State Senate).
Craig prefers an education lottery that would pay for the first two years of college for any student who gets accepted into a state university or community college. This would open up funding for students who only want an associates degree or professional certification, and include those who are going back to school after spending time in the workforce.
JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Craig saved 1,400 jobs at the Gadsden Goodyear plant, and created another 190 jobs there, when he wrote the bill that created the Industrial Development Authority. He has also secured funds that will improve our infrastructure and make us more attractive to business and industry.
Craig understands that the key to growing our economy and creating jobs is to combine infrastructure development and local and state incentives with an educational system that prepares our kids and those already in the workforce (through workforce development training) for the jobs of tomorrow. Craig is a strong supporter of career technical and vocational training programs, investing in computer and technology programs in our K-12 schools, expanding the state’s pre-K program and creating a state lottery that will allow every child to have a chance at earning a degree or professional certification.
Craig also sponsored legislation to make it the law that Alabama businesses get first priority on all government contracts, and he has sponsored legislation that gives tax breaks to employers who hire veterans.
HEALTHCARE
Craig voted against the $13.8 million tax increase on prescription medication and the $10.4 million tax increase on people in nursing homes, and he co-sponsored legislation to make sure that children with Autism can receive the therapy they need.
Since 2010, 10 hospitals and dozens of local doctors’ offices and nursing homes – mostly in rural Alabama – have shut down due to a lack of state funding. Craig is working with leaders in both parties, as well as with doctors, hospitals and nursing homes, to make sure the state’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs are properly funded for the future.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
Craig personally secured the funding to extend I-759 and Hwy 77 in Attalla, and he is working with state leaders to provide the funds to finish widening Hwy 411 and complete the Southside Bridge.
Improving our local roads and bridges is not just a matter of economic development and relieving traffic congestion – It’s a matter of public safety! By investing in our local roads and bridges, we can improve the flow of traffic, grow local businesses and bring in new business and industry, and save lives in the process. And Craig will make sure that these roads and bridges are being built by Alabama workers employed by Alabama companies!
PRO-LIFE
Craig Ford is pro-life and has always supported pro-life legislation in the Alabama House of Representatives. In the State Senate, Craig will continue to support pro-life policies and will fight to cut the red tape that makes it harder for qualified, middle-class families to adopt a child.
SECOND AMENDMENT
Craig is one of only four lawmakers in the entire legislature to receive the highest possible rating from the NRA. Craig is a life-long gun owner, an outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing, and a member of the Alabama National Guard, where his responsibilities have included overseeing the Guard’s guard ranges at Ft. McClellan.
FARMING AND RURAL ALABAMA
Craig single-handedly killed the lube-oil tax increase, which would have drastically raised taxes on hydraulic and motor oils used in gasoline and farming equipment!
Craig is a strong supporter of the rural broadband initiative that will improve and expand wireless internet access throughout rural Alabama. Craig is also working to build an agribusiness center as a part of the Etowah Mega Sports Complex.
VETERANS
Craig is a proud member of the Alabama National Guard. In the Legislature, Craig has supported and authored legislation to incentivize employers to hire veterans, worked to increase funding for veterans’ scholarship programs, and fought to protect funding for veterans healthcare.