Cam Ward (politician)

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 2017–2018.

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-(2020–present)
• Alabama State Senate– (2010–2020)
• Alabama House of Representatives– (2002–2010)
• Executive Director, Alabaster Industrial Development Board– (2001–present)
• District Director of Congressman Spencer Bachus– (1998–2001)
• Assistant Alabama Secretary of State– (1998)
• Deputy Attorney General, State Auditors Office– (1996–1998)
• Alabama Republican Party, Political Staff Assistant– (1994–1996)
• Office of Governor Guy Hunt, Legislative Intern– (1993)

Standing committees

• Judiciary– Chairman
• Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development– Vice-chairman
• Government Appropriations (former member)
• Health and Human Services
• Finance and Taxation General Fund
• Transportation & Energy
• Constitution Ethics & Elections
• Confirmations
• Shelby County Local Legislation– Chairman
• Jefferson County Local Legislation (former member)

Oversight committees

• Alabama Law Institute– 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 Policy– Chairman
• Nuclear Energy Activities and Hazardous Chemical Toxic Waste Oversight Committee
• Joint Oversight for State Parks
• Joint Oversight for Prisons
• Joint Prison Reform Task Force– Chairman
• Judicial Building Authority Legislative Oversight Committee
• Alabama Juvenile Justice Task Force
• Sentencing Commission
• Alabama Autism Council– Chairman

National committees

• Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research– Chairman
• U.S./Canada Energy Council–Executive Committee
• National Conference for State Legislators Energy, Transportation, Agriculture Committee– Chairman
• Council of State Governments–Committee on Suggested Legislation– Board of Trustees
• Faith & Justice Fellowship– State Leader
• Justice Reinvestment Council
• National Commission on Uniform State Laws
• Southern States Energy Board
• Southern Legislative Conference–Executive Committee

Party offices

• Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee

Recognition

• Autism Speaks– 2017 Legislator of the Year
• Alabama League of Municipalities– Hometown Hero
• Business Council of Alabama– 2016 Business Champion
• Foundation for Government Accountability– 2016 Friend of Government Accountability Award
• Business Council of Alabama– 2015 Business Champion
• Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame– 2013 Statesman of the Year

References

References

1. "Senator Cam Ward". The Alabama Legislature.
2. "Sen. Cam Ward (R) {{!}} 14th District (Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson, & Shelby Co.) – Shelby County Legislative Delegation Office".
3. "The Honorable Cam Ward – Childrens Trust Fund".
4. "Troy University Magazine".
5. "Industrial Development Board | Alabaster, AL". Cityofalabaster.com.
6. (December 21, 2008). "Daughter's autism gives Alabama lawmaker a cause". AL.com.
7. (September 3, 2009). "Autism Alabama site launched".
8. "Meet Cam Ward". Senator Cam Ward, Republican, District 14.
9. (December 15, 2010). "Legislature passes bill giving Alabama Ethics Commission subpoena power". AL.com.
10. (September 9, 2015). "Sen. Cam Ward admits guilt in DUI charge".
11. "Sen. Cam Ward admits guilt, enters trial diversion program for DUI arrest".
12. (July 2, 2015). "State Sen. Cam Ward apologizes after DUI arrest".
13. (September 9, 2015). "Sen. Cam Ward could see DUI prosecution dropped".
14. Shelburne, Beth. (October 3, 2015). "Senator Cam Ward and wife divorce".
15. "Cam Ward". Alabama Senate Republican Caucus.
16. (October 31, 2018). "Cam Ward – BirminghamWatch".
17. (September 18, 2017). "Ward elected chair of national energy research group {{!}} The Clanton Advertiser".
18. (May 15, 2019). "These 25 white men – all Republicans – just voted to ban abortion in Alabama". The Guardian.