Democratic party backs Ford’s sister in election challenge

Barring a court challenge, Ophelia Ford will remain the party’s nominee for a Sept. 15 special election to replace her brother in Shelby County’s heavily Democratic Senate District 29.

The state Democratic Executive Committee rejected, on a 40-1 vote, an election challenge from state Rep. Henri Brooks. Ophelia Ford won by 20 votes in a Democratic primary Aug. 4.

Brooks said there should be a new election because not all voters were properly notified of changes in their polling places and because there is no effective procedure for a recount.

Ophelia Ford faces Republican Terry Roland and independent Robert ‘Prince Mongo’ Hodges for the Senate seat held since 1974 by John Ford, who resigned in May after his indictment on federal bribery charges.

Brooks’ attorney, David Mills, tried to convince the committee a runoff election should be held.

The committee determined there was no allegation of vote fraud, no proof that Brooks voters were treated differently than other voters and that there is no provision in state law for an election runoff.

Ford compared the process to an experience in high school experience.

“As a 10th grader at Hamilton High School, I was elected queen of the school. The 11th and 12th graders were upset,” she said.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com