Later Years and The Ford Administration
Following the resignation of President Nixon due to the Watergate Scandal, Morton continued in his position as Secretary of the Interior in the administration of Gerald Ford. In March 1975, while still serving as the head of the Interior Department, Morton was nominated by Ford to serve as the next Secretary of Commerce. Ford cited Morton's extensive business experience as the primary factor for selecting him, and hoped he would be able to "encourage American business to expand energy development and conservation efforts".
In January 1976, Ford announced Morton would be resigning as Commerce Secretary, and would serve as "special counsellor to the President", with cabinet-rank. Morton's new position was to advise the president on domestic and economic policy. In addition, Morton was to serve as the special liaison to the political committee to elect President Ford. Morton's duties blurred the line between his public and political duties, and caused controversy concerning how Morton would divide his time between the White House and Ford's election campaign, and how much of his salary would be supplied by taxpayers versus the Ford election committee. In rebuttal, Morton stated "you can't separate government from politics", and that Presidential aides should be allowed to offer political advice.
In April 1976, Morton was named campaign manager for President Ford leading up to the 1976 presidential election. He replaced Bo Callaway, who was forced to resign following allegations of improper use of authority while he was Secretary of the Army. Morton directed Ford's campaign until August 25, 1976, when he was reassigned as chairman of a steering committee in the campaign and was replaced by James Baker. Morton's demotion was at his own request, and he stated he no longer wished to bear "the responsibility and accountability of the chairmanship". After Ford's defeat in the 1976 election, Morton retired from politics to his farm, "Presqu'isle", near Easton, Maryland, where he operated a boat construction business.
Morton had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1973, but stated it was in its early phases and still treatable. In 1979, however, Morton died at his home at the age of 64 due to the cancer. He is interred in Old Wye Cemetery in Wye Mills, Maryland.
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