"Whenever race, religion or gender is invoked in a political contest, it generally means the candidate has run out of legitimate arguments for why he/she should be elected. Communities and nations are always made weaker when political figures try to divide us for political advantage. It is my strong hope that lessons will be learned."?
Ford had taken no previous position on the race, though Tinker has often boasted that she once served as campaign chairman for one of the former congressman's reelection campaigns. Ford's wife, the former Emily Threlkeld, had contributed the personal maximum of $2300 to the Tinker campaign.