Rep. Craig Ford calls his speculations and ideas of running
for governor of Alabama in 2014 serious. Rep. Ford is a democrat and currently
serves as the Alabama House Democratic Minority Leader.
Ford said he feels that Democrats can win in 2014. Rep.
Ford highlighted that he believes that conservative democrats can win in
Alabama. Ford said he's done some
polling "and things look good."
"I think the working-class folks that voted with
the Republicans last time — people like educators and police officers and
firefighters — will be back with the Democrats, particularly after Republicans
went after their pay," Ford said.
Ford said he would decide late next year, probably
after the presidential election in November, if he would run in 2014.
He describes himself as a "pro-gun"
conservative Democrat and family man. "Alabama needs a common working
class governor," Ford said. Ford
owns an insurance agency and a community newspaper in Gadsden.
Alabama GOP chairman Bill Armistead said he is
confident that Republicans will continue winning in next year's elections and
again in 2014.
But Democratic
Party chairman Mark Kennedy shared Ford's optimism about his party's chances in
future elections.
"In 2014 our candidates are going to be
competitive. A lot of people have buyer's remorse about having voted for
Republicans last year," Kennedy said.
Ford's family is well-known in Alabama political and
sports, Ford represents the same House seat that his father, the late Rep. Joe
Ford, held for 26 years. Ford said he spent much of his childhood watching his
father in the House and helping with campaigns. Craig Ford has served in the
House since being elected in 2000 in a special election following his father's
death.
Ford's aunt is former Birmingham city councilwoman Pat
Sewell and his uncle is Danny Ford, a former Alabama football player and former
Arkansas head coach.
