Former Rep. Jim Ryun, battling for the 2nd district GOP nomination in the Aug. 5 primary against state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, is set to hit the airwaves today with his first television ad.

The one-minute biography spot is slated to run on broadcast television in eastern Kansas in an ad buy that the Ryun campaign characterized as substantial. In the ad, the former Congressman plays up his rural, Jayhawk State roots and past history as a champion runner and Olympic silver medalist.

In responding to the ad, the Jenkins campaign took a subtle dig at what it has characterized of late as Ryun’s spotty record on earmarks during his 10 years in Congress.

“Lynn Jenkins may not have set a world record in track, but she has 20 years experience as a certified public accountant, knows wasteful spending when she sees it, and won’t wait 11 years to fight it,” Jenkins campaign spokesman Josh Hersh said.

Meanwhile, Ryun received more help over the weekend from his former colleagues, with Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.) showing up in the 2nd district to campaign for him one week after Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) did the same. Ryun and Herger visited a technology company in Lawrence on Friday.

Ryun is running for his old job, but he must first get by Jenkins if he hopes to have a shot at challenging the individual who beat him in 2006, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D).