Harold Ford Jr. Considers Senate Run in New York

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Campaign 2010

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr., who lost a bitter Tennessee Senate race in 2006, is reportedly considering challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the Democratic Senate nomination in New York this year.

The New York Times reports that Ford, who moved to New York following his 2006 loss and now works for Merrill Lynch, has been discussing a run with top Democratic donors, including Steven Rattner. He will reportedly decide on whether to run in the next 45 days.

"He has extraordinary drive and intelligence and will excel at anything that he chooses to do," Rattner told the Times, which suggested that New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is also open to backing a Ford run.

State Democrats remain skeptical of Gillibrand, who was named to her seat to replace now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She has already raised more than $5 million for her campaign, but she has not generated a sense of inevitability about her candidacy, even as fellow New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer has worked to clear the field for her.

Gillibrand hails from a conservative upstate district, and has moved to the left since becoming a senator; a matchup between Gillibrand and Ford would be notable in part because it would mean a Democratic Senate primary in a relatively liberal state that lacks a traditional liberal candidate.

Ford is a moderate Democrat who opposes gay marriage; he chairs the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, which has consistently generated the ire of liberal Democrats. Gillibrand, who polling suggests is vulnerable, seemed more likely to be challenged from the left than the middle in a primary.

Ford would likely be met with charges of carpetbagging if he decides to run, though such charges didn't stop Clinton from winning her Senate seat in 2000. His 2006 race is perhaps best remembered for a controversial Republican Party ad featuring a white woman saying she met Ford, who is black, at "the playboy party."

"Harold, call me," the woman says in the spot, which you can watch here.

Ford appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" this morning but declined to address a possible run.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by HOBB8743 January 9, 2010 1:30 PM EST: Votersn of New York dont need a Carpet bagger who could not win in Tenn. My be he should try for Dodd seat in Conn . NewYork doesn't need him.; Reply to this comment


by CorruptGovernment January 6, 2010 1:40 PM EST: We need PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS not CAPITULATORS to corporate whim, FORD Jr.-EXEC-Merrill Lynch... Harold you may be a good candidate BUT, your a CORPORATE WH%RE, period, we need STRONG ethics and freedoms restored in congress.

ASK Ford, Jr. & Gillabrand what their stance is on gay marriage. How can they be about EQUAL RIGHTS if they are against either term used in Gay/Lesbian MARRIAGE or CIVIL PARTNERSHIP. Are the Democrats about EQUAL RIGHTS? If they are against Gay Partnerships, What would be the difference between the views of the RADICAL Corporate & Wealthy Conservative Republican Extremist Socialist Party of FAILURE after ALL they (Corporate & Wealthy Conservative Republican Extremist Socialist Party) removed our US Constitutional Rights with the (Patriot Act)!

MOB RULES one way or the other!; Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 January 6, 2010 12:32 PM EST: Ford will win it all. He has a good name, a good reputation and belongs in the Senate.; Reply to this comment