Guide Note

Ward Connerly is an African-American activist and businessman. He is also the founder of the American Civil Rights Institute.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: Wardell Anthony Connerly
2. Born: June 15, 1939
3. Birthplace: Leesville, Louisiana
4. Party: Republican
5. Alma Maters: Sacramento State College
6. Has raised $1.5 million for "civil rights initiative"¹
7. Donated $500 to Obama's campaign
8. Founder/chairman: American Civil Rights Institute
9. Friends with Pete Wilson²
10. Formerly a Regent of the University of California
11. Tenure ended on March 1, 2005

Connerly raised money and campaigned to rid the United States of affirmative action. He noted the successes of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race as proof that the country no longer needs racial or gender preferences.³

Connerly's campaign led to the elimination of affirmative action from Michigan in 2006, and in 2008, he lobbied to add the initiative to ballots in Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. If successful, the issue would be voted on in these states during the 2008 Presidential Election in November. Critics that believe America still needs affirmative action have launched their own campaigns to keep Connerly's initiatives off the ballots.⁴