Washington ? Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist stepped forward Thursday as a potential replacement for Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, delivering a fresh blow to the Mississippian’s precarious hold on his post.

In a statement, Frist said several senators had approached him Thursday and asked him to seek the job. He said he agreed to let them gauge support from all 51 GOP senators who will serve in the Congress that convenes next month.

“I indicated to them that if it is clear that a majority of the Republican caucus believes a change in leadership would benefit the institution of the United States Senate, I will likely step forward for that role,” Frist said.

Lott, 61, has said he thought he had enough support from his colleagues to retain his job and has vowed to fight for it. The Mississippian has been under fire since Dec. 5, when he expressed regret that segregationist presidential candidate Strom Thurmond was defeated in 1948. Lott has delivered a series of apologies for his comments.

Lott’s office declined to comment on Frist. But a GOP leadership aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lott continued to enjoy tremendous support and should not be underestimated.

The White House declined to comment on Frist’s moves. After President Bush’s criticism last week of Lott’s Dec. 5 remarks, administration officials sought to distance themselves from the leadership struggle.

Lott, who has led Senate Republicans since 1996, was home in Mississippi telephoning colleagues in search of support.

Frist, 50 and in his second Senate term, spent the last several days making noncommittal statements about Lott. But earlier Thursday, GOP aides speaking on condition of anonymity said Frist was sounding out senators by telephone and was considering making the race.

GOP senators plan to meet Jan. 6 to decide who will lead them in the new Congress.