In the early 20th century, a prominent Michigan businessman was the father of the American automobile industry. This innovative engineer and machinist would revolutionize global manufacturing techniques with the advent of the “moving assembly line” technique for mass production. Henry Ford's innovations would forever change American transportation and industry. With his wealth and acquired power, Ford turned to politics. In 1918, Ford became the leading candidate for a Senate seat in Michigan; however, he was unable to achieve this goal. What caused Henry Ford to lose his Senate bid? Ford's political life began in 1917 when he announced his intention to run for election as a Michigan state senator. Once his campaign began, the majority of the state seemed to favor Ford. This popularity with voters was largely gained after Ford revealed his life story - the son of a simple farmer; he overcame many obstacles to rise to the status of a multimillionaire businessman and potential senator from Michigan. Many voters also admired Ford for his technical prowess, his particularly inexpensive automobiles, and the high wages he paid his employees. A peace candidate and claiming no affiliation with any political party, Ford placed his name on both Republican and Democratic primary ballots. All Democratic candidates withdrew from the primary race, ensuring Henry Ford's nomination, while Truman H. Newberry would ultimately win the Republican nomination. As the election campaign began in earnest, Ford did very little campaigning himself, relying instead on powerful politicians. figures such as President Woodrow Wilson and numerous Michigan newspapers to relay his political agenda to the public. Ford's populari...... middle of paper ......rd » Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford “Henry Ford” The Great Idea Finder, http: / /www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/ford.htm “Henry Ford” About.Com, http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventors/a/HenryFord.htm “The Election Case of Truman H. Newberry of Michigan (1922) » United States Senate, http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/contested_elections/102Ford_Newberry.htm « Michigan Senate Race of 1918 » Eastern Michigan University, http:/ /edit.emich.edu /index.php?title=Michigan%27s_1918_Senate_Race “Newberry Condemned” Era of Investigations Chapter V, 200 Remarkable Days: Histories of the Senate from 1787 to 2002, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/ senate/notabledays/chap5.pdfSenate Report No. 277, Part I, September 21, 1921, http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/contested_elections/pdf/102_Sep_29_1921_Newberry.pdf