NEW YORK (AP) — Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford Jr. is readying for a fight in the race to challenge New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (JIHL’-uh-brand) in the Democratic primary.
Ford spokesman David Goldin tells The Associated Press the White House is in danger of “obstructing a free election.”
Goldin was referring to a remark by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Monday.
Gibbs said “stay tuned” when asked about possible efforts to clear the field for Gillibrand. The White House backs Gillibrand.
Ford wrote a piece in Tuesday’s New York Post saying he is “strongly considering running” against Gillibrand.
Ford, who’s 39, took a job with Merrill Lynch & Co. in New York after losing the 2006 Tennessee Senate race.