Black Ala. Lawmaker to Switch to GOP (1st Black Ala. Republican Legislator in a Century) Johnny Ford

ap ^ | 1/9/2003 | ap

[TLBSHOW]

Black Ala. Lawmaker to Switch to GOP

Party Switch Gives Alabama Its First Black Republican Legislator in a Century

MONTGOMERY, Ala. Jan. 9 — State Rep. Johnny Ford said Thursday he will switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party, making him the first black Republican in the Alabama Legislature in at least a century.

"I am doing this because I strongly feel that in Alabama we need to put partisan politics behind us and join hands as one," said Ford, who quietly supported Republican Gov.-elect Bob Riley during last year's election.

Ford said he planned to make an official announcement at a news conference within the next week. The former Tuskegee mayor has represented Macon County in the Legislature for five years.

Ford will be the first black Republican in the Legislature since Reconstruction, according to state archives. Democrats will still hold a 63-42 majority in the House.

Democratic Party Chairman Redding Pitt said he believes Ford is switching parties for personal reasons and doesn't believe it indicates a shift in the support blacks have traditionally given to Democrats.

"It has no real impact on the fabric of political support for the two parties in Alabama," he said.

State GOP chairman Marty Connors said Ford's switch shows the party's continuing efforts toward inclusion.

Ford has been associated with the GOP in the past. He worked for the Nixon administration as the Alabama supervisor of the Justice Department's Community Relations Service.

[JohnnyZ]

Sweet. The New South is upon us! :)

[MonroeDNA]

This guy must have steel ones. Good for him!

[TLBSHOW]

By 2004 it will look like the early 1900's. As Black America tells the rats, see ya!

[cynicom]

TLB...

Son you best calm down, you are hallucinating.

[gov_bean_ counter]

"It has no real impact on the fabric of political support for the two parties in Alabama," he said.

Not so fast, Mr. Red Ding. Mr. Ford is a high visibility politician. Former Mayor of Tuskeegee. Always exhibited reasonably conservative tendencies. Sorta felt he, like many African-Americans, has kept them to himself to keep from being labeled in his community.

[TLBSHOW]

I am right, the rats by 2004 won't know what hit them.

[Alas Babylon!]

Good for him. I live in the county bordering his. Macon County, Alabama, had the notorious distinction in the 2000 presidential elections of being the highest percentage votes in the Nation for Algore. I'm hoping 2000 was the high water mark for blacks lockstepping to the Democrats.

Come on over, Brothers! We'll treat you like individuals!

[Alas Babylon!]

Oh, I forgot to invite the sisters, too. You're all welcome here! Condoleeza Rice is one of us!

[lodwick]

bttt

[KQQL]

@

[fieldmarshaldj]

Mui grande cajones. Remember, it's one thing to switch from a minority to majority party, quite another to go the other direction and risk the serious scorn of your colleagues. This courageous man is going to suffer with all manner and sort of the disgusting put-downs heaped upon African-Americans who decided to leave the Democrat Plantation over the next 4 years...

[solo gringo]

Welcome to the GOP where you can use your voice.Where you can say what you want and be heard."GET IT ON"

[Arkinsaw]

Son you best calm down, you are hallucinating.

Maybe not....maybe not. I don't know which I will be more happy to see face a new reality, the Democrats who are left behind or the Republicans who would prefer to write off African-Americans. Perhaps they can both get together and form a new party together.

[BfloGuy]

Welcome home.

[Austin Willard Wright]

fascinating. I wonder if he has safe district.

[cricket]

"This courageous man is going to suffer with all manner and sort of the disgusting put-downs heaped upon African-Americans who decided to leave the Democrat Plantation over the next 4 years..."

. . .yes, this is one brave man. . .and what nice news after Trent Lott; guess the Libs will choke on this one. . .

Wonder if he was part of the 'Black Caucus' - for sure he will not be after this move.

[Bob J]

On NOW at RadioFR!

Join AnnaZ, Mercuria and Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson for a…
A DAY AT THE RACISTS!
The Lott Thing!
The Byrd Thing!
The Je$$e Jack$on Thing!
The Sharpton Thing!
The Profiling Thing!
The Reparations Thing!
The Thought Police Thing!

Click HERE to listen LIVE while you FReep!

Click HERE to chat in the RadioFR chat room!

Miss a show?

Click HERE for RadioFR Archives!

[decimon]

Mui grande cajones.

El Cajón es actualmente uno de los instrumentos de percusión más característicos del flamenco y posiblemente, al igual que muchos palos, es de ida y vuelta.

[cricket]

"Wonder if he was part of the 'Black Caucus' " . . .

ok. . .missed and messed up; State Legislature. . .