Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) hinted this morning that he will seek re-election this year rather than challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

His comments came during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "Good Morning America," during which King said he was "leaning against" a Senate bid.

Stephanopoulos later wrote on his blog that King's hesitation is due to his confidence "that Republicans will regain control of the House this year, which would make him the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee." King called that prospect "alluring."

The interview can be seen here.

The New York Senate race was also the subject of a New York Times article this morning, which detailed former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr.'s interest. Friends told the Times that Ford will decide in the next 45 days whether he will challenge Gillibrand in the Democratic primary.

Ford moved to New York following his failed 2006 bid for Senate in Tennessee, becoming an executive at Merrill Lynch and a regular commentator on NBC and MSNBC. Ford appeared on "Morning Joe" today and did not deny the accuracy of the Times story, though he was not asked directly about it.

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