Former Kentucky Sen. Wendell Ford dies

Former Sen. Wendell Ford (D-Ky.) died early Thursday morning at the age of 90, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on the Senate floor. 

{mosads}While the Ford family has not yet released a public statement, Ford publicly acknowledged his battle with lung cancer this past July and had undergone chemotherapy.

McConnell, who served with Ford from 1985 to 1998, praised his legacy on the Senate floor and sent his condolences to Ford’s wife and family. 

“A proud Kentuckian who rose from page in the Statehouse to governor of the state, Ford shaped the history of the commonwealth in ways few others had before him,” he said.

“He never forgot the lessons about hard work he learned while milking cows or tending to chores on the family farm. And this World War II veteran never backed down from a fight either.”

I will miss my good friend & mentor Sen. Wendell Ford. He was a true statesman & deeply loved KY and its people. pic.twitter.com/3tRLwLwizH

— Alison L. Grimes (@KySecofState) January 22, 2015

Ford endorsed Grimes’ campaign for Senate in 2014 and appeared in a campaign ad criticizing McConnell as an obstructionist.

Ford served four terms in the Senate from 1974 until 1999 and ended his tenure as Democratic whip. He helped pass key pieces legislation including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 and the National Voter Registration Act.

He ended his term as the longest-serving senator in state history, a record he held until McConnell broke it in 2009.

During his retirement, he helped advise Kentucky Democrats and founded the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center, where he also volunteered. 

This story was updated at 5:13 p.m.