Harold Eugene Ford Jr., commonly referred to as Harold Ford Jr., is a multifaceted individual with a diverse professional background.
He is an American financial managing director, pundit, author, and former U.S. Congressman. Ford Jr. represented Tennessee’s 9th congressional district, which is located in Memphis, as a member of the Democratic Party from 1997 to 2007.
Throughout his time in office, he worked diligently to serve his district’s constituents and make a positive impact on his community.
Table of Contents
Profile
- Full name: Harold Eugene Ford Jr.
- Stage name: Harold Ford Jr.
- Born: May 11, 1970
- Age: 53 years old.
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Politician
- Height: 1.8m
- Parents: Harold Ford Sr., Dorothy Bowles Ford
- Siblings: Sir Isaac Ford, Andrew Ford, Jake Ford, and Ava Ford
- Spouse: Emily Threlkeld
- Children: Georgia Ford
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $3 million
Early Life
Ford was born in the vibrant city of Memphis, Tennessee, where he grew up as the eldest son of former Representative Harold Ford Sr. and Dorothy Bowles Ford. Along with his two brothers, Jake and Isaac, Ford has two half-siblings, Andrew and Ava, from his father’s second marriage.
This diverse family background has shaped Ford’s perspective on life and politics, influencing his values and beliefs as he navigates his path in the world. The Ford family’s influence in Memphis’s black community dates back generations, with N. J. Ford founding a successful funeral home that helped establish a strong network within the community.
Their connections also extended to prominent white figures like E.H. Crump, who dominated politics in the early 20th century and was a friend of N.J. Ford. John N. Ford, Harold Sr.’s brother, continued the family’s political legacy by serving in the Tennessee State Senate until his conviction on federal bribery charges in 2007 during the Operation Tennessee Waltz scandal.
Education
He started his education at Double Tree Elementary School, a Montessori school in the Westwood neighborhood. However, after his father became a Congressman, he transferred to the prestigious St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., where he graduated.
Following high school, he pursued a B.A. in American history at the University of Pennsylvania, which he completed in 1992.
Career
After completing his education, Ford ventured into the realm of government by working as a staff aide for the Senate Budget Committee. His career path led him to become a special assistant at the United States Department of Commerce in 1993.
Despite his dedication to public service, Ford decided to further his education by pursuing a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1996. Although he faced challenges, such as failing the Tennessee bar exam during his House of Representatives campaign, Ford expressed his determination to try again. As of 2014, he has not yet made another attempt at passing the exam.
In 1999, Ford voted in favor of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which repealed significant portions of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. The Glass-Steagall Act was intended to prevent any one organization from serving as both an investment bank, a commercial bank, and an insurance company.
The repeal of this act allowed banks and insurance companies to make risky financial bets using funds from savings and checking accounts or insurance policies. Many economists, including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, attribute the repeal of Glass-Steagall to the conditions that led to the 2007 financial crisis.
During a heated exchange in the House chamber, Schmidt commented that Murtha was a “coward” for proposing to withdraw American forces from Iraq. This prompted Ford to passionately defend Murtha by charging across the floor towards the Republican side, demanding that Schmidt repeat her statement directly to Murtha.
Ford’s actions caused quite an uproar in the chamber, with fellow Democrat Dave Obey having to restrain him. Many Democrats, including Ford, viewed Schmidt’s remarks as disrespectful and unwarranted toward Murtha, a respected Marine Corps veteran. Schmidt later retracted her statement.
The controversial ad released during the Tennessee Senate race was retired just one day after Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman stated that he had no authority to stop it and disagreed with its negative characterizations.
Despite this, candidates Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. participated in several televised debates in different cities leading up to the election. NBC’s Meet the Press invited a nationally televised debate between the candidates. Ultimately, on November 8, Ford conceded the election to Corker after he defeated him by less than three percentage points.
At the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, Ford is a respected member with a finance background, having previously worked as a managing director at Morgan Stanley. Despite erroneous media reports in late 2017 alleging sexual misconduct leading to his termination, Morgan Stanley later clarified that no such misconduct occurred.
Following this incident, Ford reached a legal settlement with the company, as The New York Times reported in January 2018. Additionally, Ford serves on the Board of Selectors for Jefferson Awards for Public Service and is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: N/A
- Facebook handle: Harold Ford Jr.
- Twitter handle: @HaroldfordJr
Personal Life
On April 26, 2008, Ford tied the knot with Emily Threlkeld. Threlkeld is employed in the field of public relations for Carolina Herrera in New York.
Together, they share a daughter named Georgia Walker Ford. In May of 2015, the couple welcomed their second child, a son named Harold Eugene Ford III.
Net Worth
Harold Ford Jr.’s net worth is believed to be approximately $3 million, and his wealth stems from his involvement in political and financial endeavors.
Over the years, Ford Jr. has amassed substantial wealth through his various professional pursuits, solidifying his financial standing as a successful figure in politics and finance.