Update: Reactions from Kentucky lawmakers.
Longtime Kentucky politician Wendell Ford died Thursday morning, CN2 is reporting. A force in Kentucky Democratic politics, Ford was a U.S. senator from 1974 to 1999, where he was the Democratic whip for the latter part of his tenure. He was also Kentucky governor from 1971 to 1974.
Ford, 90, was an Owensboro native. We’ll have more on Ford’s life later today, plus reaction from Frankfort and Washington.
Reactions coming in from Kentucky lawmakers.
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway says in an official statement, "Wendell Ford was a lion of a public servant for Kentucky and the nation, but he had the heart and kindness of a lamb. He was my dear friend, and one of the largest influences on my professional life."
Here's Rep. Ed Whitfield:
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of former KY Governor and U.S. Senator Wendell Ford who passed away earlier today.
— Rep. Ed Whitfield (@RepEdWhitfield) January 22, 2015
Senator Mitch McConnell's Reaction:
http://youtu.be/iu76oiLr884
Former Kentucky Governor and current state Senator Julian Carroll was Ford's Lieutenant Governor. He reacted to his friend and colleague's passing.
My heart is heavy today at the loss of my fellow governor, Senator Wendell Ford. He was a true public servant, who always put the people first, and was a mentor to so many young politicians. I had known Wendell since he ran for the State Senate, having been elected to the House that same year, 1962. Later I managed his campaign in McCracken County for his race as lieutenant governor and secured a margin of victory for him equal to more than three times the amount he won by. In 1971, I ran for lieutenant governor on a ticket with former Governor Bert T. Combs and joined Wendell in the fall campaign at which time we were both elected as governor and lieutenant governor. Wendell encouraged me to run for the U.S. Senate, but after several weeks of discussion, he decided to run himself. My relationship with Wendell Ford has been long standing and his passing is indeed a powerful moment for me and for Kentucky, but he had a good life. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Jean, all his family and his many, many friends. Today is a sad day for all Kentuckians. We truly lost one of our greatest sons. - Julian Carroll on the death of Wendell Ford
