Former Tenn. Congressman Harold Ford Considering Challenge to Sen. Kristen Gillibrand in N.Y.

Harold Ford Jr., the former congressman from Tennessee, is considering a challenge to New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand in this year's Democratic primary, according to sources close to him.

Ford moved to New York three years ago after losing a bitter Senate fight in Tennessee. He has told friends he will decide in the next month or so whether to mount a campaign, the New York Times reported.

Some Democrats accuse Gillibrand of flip-flopping on issues like gun control and immigration and say she's unprepared to run in New York's more conservative upstate districts.

Gillibrand was appointed by Gov. David Paterson to Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat.

A number of prominent Democratic fundraisers have said they might support a Ford candidacy and there are reports that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg might also back him, according to the Times.