Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian is out with his first television ad just ahead of next month's 1st District special election. The 30-second spot goes after the Tea Party instead of Avakian's Democratic rivals.
In "Ticked Off," Avakian is blunt, saying he's "ticked off about what's going on. These Tea Party Republicans trying to end Medicare and roll back the clock on women? It's crazy. And you see Congress doing nothing while we struggle."
In "Ticked Off," Avakian is blunt, saying he's "ticked off about what's going on. These Tea Party Republicans trying to end Medicare and roll back the clock on women? It's crazy. And you see Congress doing nothing while we struggle."
As images flash of the Democrat talking with seniors, driving his truck, and even getting his hair cut at a local barber shop, Avakian emphasizes his local roots. "I grew up here. I raised my kids here. This place is home to me. I'll fight for a jobs plan, and end to Wall Street handouts, whatever it takes," he says.
The ad begins Wednesday for a one week $50,000 buy on both broadcast and cable in the Portland market.
Avakian faces state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici and state Rep. Brad Witt in the November 8 primary to succeed disgraced former Democratic Rep. David Wu. But Avakian is hitting the airwaves at a key moment: ballots start going out for the all-mail election on Friday, October 21.
Bonamici has already been spending heavily on the airwaves and she also led the 3rd Quarter fundraising chase by a big margin -- bringing in over $600,000 through the end of September, including $200,000 of her own money. Avakian, who had already been running against Wu before his resignation, raised over $183,000, while Witt had just under $64,000.
Both a Bonamici internal poll and a survey from EMILY's List, who is actively supporting Bonamici, showed her with a wide lead over Avakian, and a source close to Avakian said this weekend that while their polling shows a softer lead for Bonamici, they believe that's due to her heavy advertising on TV, and as ballots go out next week for the all-mail special election, they believe they race is still tight.
Whoever emerges from the Democratic primary will likely face 2010 nominee Rob Cornilles next January, who also raised an impressive $500,000 for the special election.
Watch Avakian's full ad after the jump.
The ad begins Wednesday for a one week $50,000 buy on both broadcast and cable in the Portland market.
Avakian faces state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici and state Rep. Brad Witt in the November 8 primary to succeed disgraced former Democratic Rep. David Wu. But Avakian is hitting the airwaves at a key moment: ballots start going out for the all-mail election on Friday, October 21.
Bonamici has already been spending heavily on the airwaves and she also led the 3rd Quarter fundraising chase by a big margin -- bringing in over $600,000 through the end of September, including $200,000 of her own money. Avakian, who had already been running against Wu before his resignation, raised over $183,000, while Witt had just under $64,000.
Both a Bonamici internal poll and a survey from EMILY's List, who is actively supporting Bonamici, showed her with a wide lead over Avakian, and a source close to Avakian said this weekend that while their polling shows a softer lead for Bonamici, they believe that's due to her heavy advertising on TV, and as ballots go out next week for the all-mail special election, they believe they race is still tight.
Whoever emerges from the Democratic primary will likely face 2010 nominee Rob Cornilles next January, who also raised an impressive $500,000 for the special election.
Watch Avakian's full ad after the jump.