Wendell H. Ford

Despite having chaired Bill Clinton's inaugural committee in 1993 Ford broke with the administration by voting against the North American Free Trade Agreement. In the 1980 primary Ford received only token opposition from attorney Flora Stuart. Patton.

Due to the rapid rise of Ford and many of his political allies he and his lieutenant governor Julian Carroll were investigated on charges of political corruption but a grand jury refused to indict them. He also formed the Senate National Guard Caucus with Missouri senator Kit Bond. senator in Kentucky history.