Harold Ford responds to NY tax return controversy

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former Tennessee congressman and undeclared U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. says he'll file his first state tax return as a New Yorker this April.

Ford is considering running in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR'-sten JIL'-uh-brand), who replaced Hillary Rodham Clinton. He has faced questions about whether he could effectively represent the state as a relatively recent transplant.

Ford moved to New York shortly after losing the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Tennessee to take a job with brokerage firm Merrill Lynch but remained a Tennessee resident. He tells cable television station NY1 he'll file a 2009 New York tax return.

Ford spokeswoman Tammy Sun said Saturday that Ford previously filed the appropriate nonresident tax forms for income he earned in the state.

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