Cam Ward (born March 24, 1971) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Alabama Senate, representing District 14 from 2010 to 2020. He previously represented District 49 of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010.
Biography
Ward was born in Milton, Florida, and graduated from Bradford County High School in Starke, Florida. He received an undergraduate degree (international relations and political science) from Troy University and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. While at Troy, Ward served two terms as Student Government Association president.
Ward is the executive director of the Industrial Development Board of Alabaster, Alabama. He is chairman of the Autism Task Force of Alabama and helped launch Autism Alabama, "an on-line library providing distance learning for teachers who have children on the autism spectrum."
Career
Shortly after his daughter Riley was born in 2002, Ward was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives for District 49, where he served two terms. In 2010, he was elected to the Alabama Senate, representing District 14.
In December 2010, Ward supported a piece of legislation granting subpoena power to the Alabama Ethics Commission. The bill passed both chambers of the Alabama Legislature on December 16, 2010, and was signed into law by Governor Bob Riley.
In 2015, Ward was arrested for DUI and admitted pled guilty. He apologized and entered a pre-trial diversion program for first-time offenders. Shortly after, he announced an amicable divorce from his wife of 23 years, Julie Cain, on Facebook.
In 2016, Ward was recognized by the Foundation for Government Accountability with the Friend of Government Accountability Award for his efforts in healthcare reform.
In 2017, the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research announced Ward as its chairman for 2017âÂÂ2018.
In May 2019, he voted to make abortion a crime at any stage in a pregnancy, with no exemptions for cases of rape or incest.
Career timeline
- Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles-(2020âÂÂpresent)
- Alabama State Senateâ (2010âÂÂ2020)
- Alabama House of Representativesâ (2002âÂÂ2010)
- Executive Director, Alabaster Industrial Development Boardâ (2001âÂÂpresent)
- District Director of Congressman Spencer Bachusâ (1998âÂÂ2001)
- Assistant Alabama Secretary of Stateâ (1998)
- Deputy Attorney General, State Auditors Officeâ (1996âÂÂ1998)
- Alabama Republican Party, Political Staff Assistantâ (1994âÂÂ1996)
- Office of Governor Guy Hunt, Legislative Internâ (1993)
Standing committees
- Judiciaryâ Chairman
- Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Developmentâ Vice-chairman
- Government Appropriations (former member)
- Health and Human Services
- Finance and Taxation General Fund
- Transportation & Energy
- Constitution Ethics & Elections
- Confirmations
- Shelby County Local Legislationâ Chairman
- Jefferson County Local Legislation (former member)
Oversight committees
- Alabama Law Instituteâ President
- New National Veterans Cemetery Joint Legislative Committee
- Legislative Council
- Joint Interim Committee on Open Meetings Legislation
- Joint Legislative Prison Committee
- Joint Reapportionment Committee
- Joint Oversight of Public Accounts
- Joint Oversight for Energy Policyâ Chairman
- Nuclear Energy Activities and Hazardous Chemical Toxic Waste Oversight Committee
- Joint Oversight for State Parks
- Joint Oversight for Prisons
- Joint Prison Reform Task Forceâ Chairman
- Judicial Building Authority Legislative Oversight Committee
- Alabama Juvenile Justice Task Force
- Sentencing Commission
- Alabama Autism Councilâ Chairman
National committees
- Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Researchâ Chairman
- U.S./Canada Energy CouncilâÂÂExecutive Committee
- National Conference for State Legislators Energy, Transportation, Agriculture Committeeâ Chairman
- Council of State GovernmentsâÂÂCommittee on Suggested Legislationâ Board of Trustees
- Faith & Justice Fellowshipâ State Leader
- Justice Reinvestment Council
- National Commission on Uniform State Laws
- Southern States Energy Board
- Southern Legislative ConferenceâÂÂExecutive Committee
Party offices
- Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee
Recognition
- Autism Speaksâ 2017 Legislator of the Year
- Alabama League of Municipalitiesâ Hometown Hero
- Business Council of Alabamaâ 2016 Business Champion
- Foundation for Government Accountabilityâ 2016 Friend of Government Accountability Award
- Business Council of Alabamaâ 2015 Business Champion
- Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fameâ 2013 Statesman of the Year
References
External links