Project Summary

Born in Daviess County, Kentucky in 1924, Wendell H. Ford was Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1971 to 1974. His political career gained momentum when he served as Governor Bert T. Combs' chief administrative assistant from 1959 to 1963. He was elected to the state Senate in 1965 and in 1967 became lieutenant governor.

As governor, he was active in national Democratic politics. He was elected to the United States Senate, and resigned as governor, in December of 1974. In 1990 he was elected Senate majority whip.