From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., D-Tennessee, defended his family from questions of impropriety Sunday, and accused Republicans of trying to distract from the real issues of the upcoming Senate race, in an interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

"I love my family and nothing you or my opponent or anybody can say will bring any distance between my family and I," Ford said in response to a question from Stephanopoulos about accusations that several of his family members have been involved in bribery and fraud. Ford and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, a Republican, will square off in November for retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's seat.

"My opponent has raised this issue, George," Ford said. "And in a lot of ways, it's a Hail Mary pass right here at the end of this race. He doesn't have anywhere else to go, doesn't have any record to defend or any vision to fight for."

America Votes 2006