Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst went up today with his first ad in the state’s GOP Senate primary, launching what is expected to be a TV air war onslaught from his well-funded campaign.
 
The ad buy is relatively small in Texas terms. His campaign described the money behind the ad as being in the “low six figures.” To run an ad fully statewide for a week in the state costs more than $1 million.
 
The content is generally positive, with no mention of his Republican opponents. He promises to “clean up this mess” of federal spending and to “choke down government.”
 
The ad also indicates that he plans to run hard on his record as lieutenant governor. He tells viewers that fiscal restraint “worked in Texas” and will “work in Washington.”

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has also aired TV ads over the last month. The other major GOP contender in the race, former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz, has yet to go on the air with ads, but his campaign is touting an endorsement today from influential social conservative Dr. James Dobson.
 
Dewhurst has a personal fortune that has been estimated at more than $200 million. It is expected that his campaign ads will flood the Texas airwaves before the March 6 primary.

Roll Call Politics rates this race as Safe Republican. To view all of our current Senate race ratings click here.

View the Dewhurst ad: