Updated 2:30 p.m. | Tim Kaine launched the first television ad of his Senate campaign in Virginia today, a positive spot highlighting his record as governor.

The ad is part of the Democrat’s $4.5 million TV time buy placed between now and Election Day. It comes amid a flurry of outside spending — and direct attacks of his record — which his campaign said has already reached $8.5 million worth of advertising against Kaine.

Kaine, who is also the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is running for the seat of retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D). He’s facing a competitive race against Republican George Allen, a former governor and Senator who lost this seat in 2006. Roll Call rates the race as a Tossup.

Allen and GOP-aligned outside groups continue to tie Kaine to President Barack Obama, as Kaine cites his record of fiscal discipline and his willingness to work across the aisle.

“During the worst recession in decades, I worked with both parties to cut Virginia’s budget by $5 billion,” Kaine says in the ad, looking directly in the camera.