Joe Ford Endorsed By Harold Ford Jr.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Interim Shelby County Mayor, Joe Ford got some family backing Wednesday. Harold Ford, Jr. came back to Memphis to show his support for his uncle and to talk about the importance of voting.

In political campaigns there are bound to be good days and bad days. For Joe Ford, having his noted nephew fly from New York to endorse his uncle's mayoral candidacy would make for a good day.

Except it came on the same day the county attorney's office is investigating allegations that some of Ford's staffers may have violated a federal campaign law which would make Wednesday a "so-so" day.

If you thought it was going to be a suspenseful announcement, as they say in New York, "C'mon, be real."

"With that it gives me great pride to introduce and present the next Mayor of Shelby County, Joe Ford," said Ford Jr.

The appearance by former Memphis 9th District Congressman and now New Yorker, Harold Ford Jr. added a touch of nostalgia as he personally endorsed his uncle Joe Ford for Shelby County Mayor.

Looking dapper, relaxed and oozing with the charisma which almost won him a Tennessee U.S. Senate seat nearly 5 years ago, Ford Jr. smoothly moved into attack mode in criticizing his uncle's opposition in Republican Mark Luttrell by trying to verbally link the outgoing Sheriff's campaign to the extreme conservative movement.

"It's not about partisanship. But, you can't deny these associations have meanings. I've never been to a Tea Party rally. I've never endorsed any of their ideas," said Ford Jr.

When told later of Ford's remarks Luttrell made no apologies for perusing a campaign of diversity, especially since the words came from someone who isn't a resident of Shelby County anymore.

"It's my purpose this year to reach across lines to really reach out to Democrats, Republicans and liberals and conservatives," said Luttrell. "Someone coming in from New York to get involved in a Shelby County election really misses the essence of what we're trying to accomplish here in Shelby County."

While the personal endorsement of his most famous nephew was visibly a boost to the Interim Mayor, it also provided a temporary diversion to what could become a serious campaign issue in the final days before the August election; the news the County Attorney's office is conducting an internal investigation into allegations some Ford staff members have worked full time on his campaign during office hours which is a possible violation of the federal Hatch Act.

"I don't ask the county employees to do anything for me. I never have. Most of ya'll know that. You'll see me. I'm in public by myself. I drive to Nashville in my car. I never ask for any reimbursement. I've never ask a county employee to do one thing for me," said candidate Joe Ford.

"We've been very careful in my campaign to avoid that. I think it's an issue that's worthy of review and certainly needs to be investigated."

As for Ford Jr.'s political future? He seemed to make it clear, except for a family endorsement, involvement in Tennessee politics apparently are in his rearview mirror.

"I don't think you should look forward to that. If you are looking forward to that. I don't think you should anticipate that," said Ford Jr.