Source: 80 percent chance Harold Ford will run for Senate

A source familiar with the landscape of the Senate race in New York told The Hill there’s an “80-20” chance that Harold Ford Jr. will challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

The former Tennessee congressman is under intense pressure not to launch a bid against Gillibrand, but in recent days, he has sounded more like a candidate.

"If he thinks he can win, he'll do it," the source said.

The source pointed to a new Marist poll showing Gillibrand beating Ford, 43-24, in a hypothetical match-up. While Ford is down 19 points in that poll, a third of those surveyed were undecided, and the ex-House lawmaker would likely cut into that lead if he jumped in the race.

The White House and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) have pressured House lawmakers, including Reps. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), not to challenge Gillibrand.

Ford’s office did not respond to a request for comment.