Washington ? Tipper Gore is considering an overture from Democrats to run for the Senate seat her husband gave up to become vice president, sources close to her say.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Democrats urged Mrs. Gore to run after Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., said last week he would not seek re-election.

One source said Mrs. Gore believed she owed it to herself to give some thought to a run.

Her husband, Al Gore, held the Senate seat from 1985 to 1993, when he became President Clinton’s vice president.