Neurosurgeon John Whitley, one of five Republicans running for North Carolina’s reconfigured and strongly Republican 8th district, started airing a TV ad today knocking incumbent Rep. Larry Kissell (D) and promoting his conservative bona fides.

The spot, backed by a $35,000 cable buy over two weeks, begins with a black and white image of President Barack Obama and Kissell with much foreboding music.

“Barack Obama and Washington liberals have made a mess of our economy,” the male narrator says. “Enough is enough.”

The spot then turns biographical with peppy music, describing Whitley as a “Christian,” a “doctor” and a “farmer” and emphasizing that he’s not a politician, although he’d like to become one.

The spot ends with the line: “Because government doesn’t know best. We do.”

In the GOP primary, Whitley faces former Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle, former Winston-Salem City Councilman Vernon Robinson, state Rep. Fred Steen and former Congressional aide Richard Hudson.

Hudson appears to have the early edge in the battle to take on Kissell, but it could still be anyone’s race. The primary is scheduled for May 8; a runoff would be held July 17 if necessary.

Roll Call rates the race Likely Republican.

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