Ford, Wendell Hampton (1924-2015), a Democrat from Kentucky, was a member of the United States Senate from 1974 to 1999. He served as majority whip (assistant leader) of the Senate from 1990 to 1995, while his party held the Senate majority. He was minority whip from 1995 to 1999. Ford served as governor of Kentucky from 1971 to 1974.
As a senator, Ford became known as a moderate who favored backroom bargaining and quiet compromise, rather than open confrontation on the Senate floor. He served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration from 1987 to 1995. As chairman, he became a strong supporter of campaign-finance reform.
Ford was born on Sept. 8, 1924, in Thruston, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky in 1942 and 1943. In 1945 and 1946, he served in the U.S. Army. He later worked as an executive in the insurance industry. Ford served in the Kentucky Senate from 1965 to 1967 and as lieutenant governor of Kentucky from 1967 to 1971. He died on Jan. 22, 2015.
