Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), whose close working relationship with his fellow Beaver State Senator, Gordon Smith (R), is legendary, has cut a TV ad for Smith’s opponent, state Speaker Jeff Merkley (D).

Wyden makes no mention of Smith in the 30-second spot, which began airing on Thursday, but does say Merkley will work with him “to put the economy back on track. End the billions in subsidies for oil companies, … stand up for our veterans … and fight for good jobs here at home.”

Wyden is on camera during the entire ad, and he opens with a dash of humor.

“I have some really good news,” he says. “The political ads will be over in less than a month.”

The ad closes with a still photo of Wyden and Merkley on stage together.

Polls have shown the race between Smith and Merkley to be extremely close, though the challenger appears to have the momentum and should be aided by the expected strong showing of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in the presidential contest.