History of Harold Ford Jr. in Timeline

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. Part of the Ford political family of Memphis, he succeeded his father, Harold Ford Sr., in the House. In 2006, he unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. He also served as the last chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).

Sections (4)

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

May 11, 1970: Harold Ford Jr. Born

On May 11, 1970, Harold Eugene Ford Jr. was born. He later became a financial managing director, pundit, author, and former U.S. Congressman.

Others born on this day/year

November 1999: Vote in favor of 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 voted in favor of the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed much of the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933.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 at DNC

In 2000, Harold Ford Jr. served as the keynote speaker for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, where he supported then Vice President Al Gore for the Democratic nomination for President.

October 10, 2002: Vote to Authorize Invasion of Iraq

On October 10, 2002, Harold Ford Jr. was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.

April 6, 2005: Senate Run Confirmed

On April 6, 2005, during an interview on C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Harold Ford Jr. confirmed that he would be running for the United States Senate.

May 25, 2005: Senate Campaign Begins

On May 25, 2005, Harold Ford Jr. filed the necessary papers to officially begin his campaign for the United States Senate.

June 7, 2005: Article on Privately Funded Trips

On June 7, 2005, The Washington Times reported that from 1998 to 2003, Harold Ford Jr. took 61 privately funded trips but didn't file travel disclosure forms until August 2003.

November 2005: House Floor Incident

In November 2005, Harold Ford Jr. charged across the House floor towards Republican Congresswoman Jean Schmidt during an uproar, shouting in defense of John Murtha after Schmidt's remarks. He had to be restrained by Dave Obey.

August 3, 2006: Won Democratic Primary

On August 3, 2006, Harold Ford Jr. overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat. His supporters held a victory celebration at Nashville's LP Field, where former U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke.

October 2006: Controversial Ads Aired

In October 2006, the Republican Party ran radio and television ads against Harold Ford Jr. that were characterized as racist. One ad featured "jungle drums," and another featured a woman referencing "the Playboy party."

December 2006: Considered Senate Run in 2008

In December 2006, Harold Ford Jr. told students that he might run again in 2008 for the Senate seat held by Republican Lamar Alexander.

January 25, 2007: DLC Chairman

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 the financial services firm Merrill Lynch as a vice chairman and senior policy advisor. In the same month, he was hired by Fox News Channel as a political contributor.

October 2007: Visiting Professor at UT Austin

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.

March 2008: Moves 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.

April 26, 2008: Ford marries Emily Threlkeld

On April 26, 2008, Harold Ford Jr. married Emily Threlkeld, who works in public relations for Carolina Herrera in New York.

February 5, 2010: Gillibrand questions Ford's bonuses from Bank of America

On February 5, 2010, Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference questioning whether Harold Ford Jr., as an executive of Merrill Lynch, received taxpayer-backed bonuses from Bank of America, which stemmed from the federal bailout. New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio endorsed her candidacy at the conference.

2010: Book Published

In 2010, Harold Ford Jr. wrote and published a book titled, More Davids Than Goliaths: A Political Education.

More Davids Than Goliaths: A Political Education

Check it on Amazon

May 2015: Birth of Harold Eugene Ford III

In May 2015, Harold Ford Jr. and Emily Threlkeld welcomed their second child, a son named Harold Eugene Ford III.

January 2018: Legal Settlement with Morgan Stanley

In January 2018, The New York Times reported that Harold Ford Jr. reached a legal settlement with Morgan Stanley following erroneous reports of his firing for sexual misconduct in late 2017.