Former state House Majority Leader Rick Berg went up with his first television ad of the House race Monday, part of the campaign’s push to build support going into the state Republicans’ nominating convention later this month.

Berg is competing with Public Service Commission Chairman Kevin Cramer for the party’s nod. Both men plan to abide by the nomination process and not run in the June 8 primary if they do not win convention backing.

The nominee will take on nine-term Democratic Rep. Earl Pomeroy, who is looking vulnerable after winning his past three re-elections by at least 60 percent.

Berg’s ad, which is running statewide on network television, emphasizes his North Dakota roots and professional background in business and politics. “We’ve worked hard to make North Dakota a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he says in the ad.

Cramer, meanwhile, does not plan to make any ad buys leading up to the convention. “My message is targeted to about 1,200 to 1,500 people,” he said, referring to the party’s convention delegates and activists.

Pomeroy’s campaign had $1.4 million at the end of 2009. Berg said he is prepared to commit some of his own money to the race, though not millions “at this point.”