Sen. Chris Dodd (D) is on the air with his second set of TV advertisements in his campaign to win re-election in 2010.

The pair of ads feature Connecticut residents praising Dodd for his work on the recent credit card bill that passed Congress. In the spot, residents said that because they paid their credit card bills a couple days late, their interest rates increased and they had to use their retirement funds to pay off “loan sharks.—

“That’s why I want to thank Chris Dodd,— Kristina Jorgensen says in one of the spots. “His new law stops credit card companies from ripping off people like me. I trust Chris Dodd. Finally, someone is standing up against these credit card companies.—

Dodd campaign manager Jay Howser said the campaign has put about $300,000 in ads on the air so far.

In a statement, Howser said the early and large ad buys were meant to inform residents about Dodd’s record. But recent public polls have showed Dodd trailing his likely Republican opponent, and national Democrats consider him to be their most vulnerable incumbent up for re-election next year.

“I can assure you Chris Dodd was not thinking about the 2010 election when he first started fighting the credit card companies over 20 years ago,— Howser said. “These ads are simply a way to highlight for the Connecticut public the hard-fought victory he won on their behalf, against the credit card companies and their abusive and excessive practices.—

Dodd has already attracted several challengers, including Democratic businessman Merrick Alpert. Several Republicans, including former Rep. Rob Simmons, former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley and state Sen. Sam Caligiuri have announced their bids, and others are considering running for the GOP nomination next year.