Rep. Heather Wilson, a moderate Republican facing a potential uphill battle in her bid for her party’s Senate nomination against conservative Rep. Steve Pearce, is out with a new television ad focusing on her electability in the general election.

Wilson’s ad focuses on Pearce’s votes against social services, saying that such a record will make him unelectable in November against Rep. Tom Udall (D). The 30- second spot is running statewide on broadcast and cable television, and the Wilson campaign described the buy as “heavy.”

Meanwhile, the Wilson campaign reported $712,000 in cash on hand with two weeks to go until Election Day. The Pearce campaign reported $247,000 on hand.

“Republicans need to nominate a common-sense conservative who can win in November, and that candidate is Heather Wilson,” campaign manager Chris Collins said in a statement.

The Pearce campaign took issue with the charges leveled against the Congressman in Wilson’s latest ad.

“Steve Pearce has always supported strengthening Social Security and he supports health care,” Pearce campaign spokesman Brian Phillips said. “What he opposes is fraud, abuse and wasteful spending. Heather Wilson is losing and, as we predicted, she is getting more negative, more bitter and hysterical.”

Pearce, Wilson and Udall are running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Pete Domenici (R), who is retiring.

— David M. Drucker