Democrat Dennis Shulman went up with his first television ad of the cycle on Tuesday, seeking to introduce voters to the candidate and his unique personal story three weeks before the three-way Democratic primary in the 5th district.

According to spokesman Jeff Hauser, the ad, which will appear 750 times on Bergen cable television stations between now and the primary, is designed to boost the name identification of the Harvard-educated psychologist and ordained rabbi who has been blind since he was a teenager.

“When he lost his sight, no one expected him to finish high school,” the ad states. “But Dennis Shulman got his diploma and went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. As a teacher, psychologist and rabbi, Dennis has made a difference in people’s lives. In Congress, he’ll bring our troops home and fight for affordable health care … because to Dennis Shulman, it’s not a political issue, it’s a moral one.”

Shulman is hoping to earn the right to face Rep. Scott Garrett (R) in November in the northern New Jersey district. Although Garrett won in 2006 by an 11-point margin, Democrats say the anti-incumbent, anti-Republican environment makes the Congressman a ripe target this year.

Shulman appears to be the frontrunner in his primary race against businessman Roger Bacon and attorney and community activist Camille Abate.

— John McArdle