“At this time, I’m just considering it. I don’t have a commitment one way or the other if the opportunity is open and available,” said Ford.

The race is already under way in western Sussex County for the Senate seat with Booth, Polly Adams Mervine, Wendy Jones and Ed Opaliski all announced candidates. The district includes Bridgeville, Georgetown, Greenwood and Milton. The Senate vacancy occurred when longtime Sen. Thurman Adams died last month.

If Booth wins that race, he would be required to resign his House seat Aug. 3, before taking office as a senator. Booth’s ascension would create another special election in the 37th District. That House election must be called within 30 days and held 11 days after the lieutenant governor signs a writ to hold a special election, said Kenneth McDowell, administrative director at the Sussex County Department of Elections.

Ford, who has served on Lewes Town Council for 18 years, said he is exploring a possible run in the House race and how it might affect Lewes residents. “I’ll be talking with people, thinking about things; what it means personally and what it means to the city,” he said.

Ford, 56, joins former legislator John Schroeder, a Democrat, who has expressed an interest in the 37th District race, and Republican Eric Bodie Bodenweiser, who said if Booth wins, he’d plan to run on the GOP ticket for the Lewes-area House seat.

Ford was first elected to Lewes City Council in 1992. In 1998, he was appointed deputy mayor and in 2004, he was elected mayor of Lewes. Ford is president of the Delaware League of Local Governments and an honorary member of Lewes Volunteer Fire Company. He also sits on the board of trustees of the Lewes Historical Society and is a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Ford is married to Teresa, who owns Kids’ Ketch. The couple has two children, Jake, 27, and Maren, 25.

Ford said if a vacancy is created in the 37th District and he should win the House seat, Lewes City Council would vote among the four remaining members to elect a mayor from within its ranks. The council would also appoint another councilperson, bringing council membership back to five total. Ford’s mayoral term expires in May 2010.

More House candidates are expected to vie for Republican and Democratic nominations. Ed O’Connor is acting Sussex County Democratic Party chairman, as Chairwoman Pat Ewing is out of town.

O’Connor said two Democratic candidates are interested in running on a Democratic ticket, but he refused to say who. “It’s not official yet. They really haven’t contacted me,” he said.

Sussex County Republican Committee Chairman Ron Sams said a handful of GOP members are also interested in the House seat, but he, too, refused to name anyone. “There are three or four people who have indicated an interest, but right now, we’re concentrated on getting Joe elected. That’s one of those things where we don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” he said.