Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Harold Ford Jr.

Discover the career path of Harold Ford Jr., from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Harold Eugene Ford Jr. is an American financial managing director, pundit, author, and former U.S. Congressman. He represented Tennessee's 9th congressional district as a Democrat from 1997 to 2007. A member of the prominent Ford political family of Memphis, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Harold Ford Sr., who previously held the same congressional seat. Ford Jr. ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2006. He also served as the last chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1993: Special Assistant at the United States Department of Commerce

In 1993, Harold Ford Jr. became a special assistant at the United States Department of Commerce.

1996: Election to U.S. Congress

In 1996, Harold Ford Jr. was elected to the U.S. Congress, representing Tennessee's 9th district, becoming one of the youngest members of Congress.

1997: U.S. Representative

In 1997, Harold Ford Jr. began serving in the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party from Tennessee's 9th congressional district.

November 1999: Vote on Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act

In November 1999, Harold Ford Jr. voted in favor of the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed much of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933.

2000: Keynote Speaker

In 2000, Harold Ford Jr. was the keynote speaker for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, supporting Al Gore.

October 10, 2002: Vote to Authorize Invasion of Iraq

On October 10, 2002, Harold Ford Jr. was among the House Democrats who voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq.

2002: House Democratic Leader Candidacy

After the Democrats lost seats in the 2002 elections, Harold Ford Jr. ran for House Democratic Leader, challenging Nancy Pelosi.

2002: Decision Not to Run for Senate

In 2002, Harold Ford Jr. decided not to run for the Senate seat vacated by Fred Thompson and supported Bob Clement instead.

2004: Possible VP Candidate Mentioned

In 2004, Harold Ford Jr.'s name was mentioned as a possible Democratic vice presidential candidate.

April 6, 2005: Announcement of Senate Run

On April 6, 2005, Harold Ford Jr. confirmed his intention to run for the United States Senate during an interview on C-SPAN's Washington Journal.

May 25, 2005: Official Start of Senate Campaign

On May 25, 2005, Harold Ford Jr. officially began his Senate campaign by filing the necessary paperwork.

November 2005: House Floor Confrontation

In November 2005, Harold Ford Jr. confronted Jean Schmidt on the House floor after she implied John Murtha was a "coward."

January 2006: Meet the Press Invitation

In January 2006, NBC's Meet the Press invited Harold Ford and Bob Corker to debate on the show.

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August 3, 2006: Victory in Democratic Primary

On August 3, 2006, Harold Ford Jr. won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Former President Bill Clinton spoke at the victory celebration at Nashville's LP Field, now Nissan Stadium.

October 7, 2006: First Televised Debate

Harold Ford and Bob Corker participated in a televised debate in Memphis on October 7, 2006.

October 10, 2006: Second Televised Debate

Harold Ford and Bob Corker participated in a televised debate in Corker's hometown of Chattanooga on October 10, 2006.

October 28, 2006: Third Televised Debate

Harold Ford and Bob Corker participated in a televised debate in Nashville on October 28, 2006.

November 2006: General Election Against Bob Corker

In November 2006, Harold Ford Jr. faced Republican Bob Corker in the general election for the U.S. Senate. Ford challenged Corker to seven televised debates, which Corker did not fully agree to.

December 2006: Speculation About Another Senate Run

In December 2006, Harold Ford Jr. told students that he might run for Senate in 2008.

2006: Campaign for U.S. Senate

In 2006, Harold Ford Jr. campaigned for the United States Senate in Tennessee but lost the general election. He also did not run for re-election to the House of Representatives.

2006: U.S. Senate Bid

In 2006, Harold Ford Jr. unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee.

January 2007: No Plans to Challenge Incumbent

In January 2007, Harold Ford Jr. stated that he had no plans to challenge Lamar Alexander for the Senate seat, after mentioning it in December 2006.

January 25, 2007: Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council

On January 25, 2007, Harold Ford Jr. was named chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council.

March 2007: Joins Merrill Lynch and Fox News

In March 2007, Harold Ford Jr. joined Merrill Lynch as a vice chairman and senior policy advisor, and he was also hired by Fox News Channel as a political contributor.

October 2007: Visiting Professor

In October 2007, Harold Ford Jr. was appointed as the inaugural Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

2007: End of Congressional Term

In 2007, Harold Ford Jr.'s service in the United States House of Representatives came to an end.

March 2008: Move to MSNBC

In March 2008, Harold Ford Jr. moved from Fox News to MSNBC as a news analyst, appearing on shows like David Gregory's Race for the White House, Hardball, and Morning Joe.

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2008: Possible Senate Run

Harold Ford Jr. considered running for the Senate in 2008 but ultimately did not challenge the incumbent.

February 5, 2010: Gillibrand press conference on Ford's bonuses

On February 5, 2010, Gillibrand held a press conference questioning whether Ford, as a Merrill Lynch executive, received taxpayer-backed bonuses from Bank of America due to the federal bailout. She was joined by New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who endorsed her candidacy.

2010: Visiting Professor at NYU

As of the spring 2010 semester, Harold Ford Jr. was a visiting professor at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service.

2010: Considered Primary Challenge in New York

In 2010, Harold Ford Jr. considered a primary challenge to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in New York, but Chuck Schumer sought to dissuade Ford from running.