 Ford entered the Senate in 1974 and was reelected in 1980 , 1986 and 1992 . In the 1980 primary , Ford received only token opposition from attorney Flora Stuart . He was unopposed in the 1986 and 1992 Democratic primaries . Republicans failed to put forward a viable challenger during any of Ford 's re @-@ election bids . In 1980 , he defeated septuagenarian former state auditor Mary Louise Foust by 334 @,@ 862 votes . Ford 's 720 @,@ 891 votes represented 65 percent of the total votes cast in the election , a record for a statewide race in Kentucky . Against Republican Jackson Andrews IV in 1986 , Ford shattered that record , securing 74 percent of the votes cast and carrying all 120 Kentucky counties . State senator David L. Williams fared little better in 1992 , surrendering 477 @,@ 002 votes to Ford ( 63 percent ) . 
