Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) announced that she has aired her first television advertisement in her battle against Sen. John Sununu (R), marking the first spot of the cycle in one of the most contested Senate races of the year.

The 60-second advertisement is biographical in nature, mostly touting Shaheen’s tenure as governor of the Granite State.

“The first woman elected governor in our history,” the announcer declares in the advertisement. “She shook up business as usual, established the first ethics code for state officials. She led the first overseas trade mission and opened the world to New Hampshire’s businesses. And for the first time for many communities, she made public kindergarten a reality and expanded health insurance for children.”

Sununu defeated Shaheen in their first match in 2002, when the governor was stepping down from office. Rebecca Fisher, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the advertisement is “laughable” given Shaheen’s record in office.

“It’s laughable for Jeanne Shaheen to think New Hampshire voters have forgotten the mess she created of the state’s educational system and the fact she was responsible for the first-ever property tax,” Fisher said. “To say anything to the contrary is misleading.”

Clegg Gets Lawmakers; Horn Gets Jackie Mason

Endorsements are flying in a four-way Republican primary to take on freshman Rep. Paul Hodes (D) this fall.

Radio host Jennifer Horn (R) announced she was endorsed by comedian Jackie Mason, whom she met when she was on his radio show. In the letter to voters, Mason calls Horn “one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met.”

“Jennifer is a real person,” Mason writes. “She is a mother, a former radio show host, a columnist, and a community activist. We’ve given politicians and lawyers a chance and they have screwed things up for everyone. It’s time we give someone else a try.”

Meanwhile, state Sen. Bob Clegg (R) announced support from more than 60 state lawmakers, including Senate GOP Leader Ted Gatsas. Horn also has support in the state Legislature and recently announced an endorsement from House Minority Whip Pam Price (R).

Attorney Jim Steiner and Grant Bosse, a former aide to Sen. John Sununu (R), are also running for the GOP nod.

Hodes defeated then-Rep. Charles Bass (R) in 2006 by a 7-point margin.

— Shira Toeplitz