Rep. Harold Ford Jr. Files for Senate Bid: "Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr. filed the federal paperwork Wednesday to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist.

"The five-term congressman from Memphis is the second Democrat to enter the 2006 race. Frist has said he does not plan to seek a third term.

"'I'm excited. I'm ready to go,' Ford said in telephone interview from Washington. He said his top issues will be energy reform, national security and education."

"State Sen. Rosalind Kurita is the only other declared candidate for the Democratic nomination. Republicans running for Frist's seat include former Reps. Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker."