Less than a month before the June 9 Democratic primary in the race for governor of Virginia, former State Delegate Brian Moran (D) released his first TV ad of the campaign. The ad criticizes rival candidate Terry McAuliffe's record as a businessman, comparing it to Moran's years as a state legislator and county prosecutor.

"For five months Terry McAuliffe has been on television trying to rewrite history and avoid his record," Moran campaign manager Andrew Roos said. "Our ad uses media reports to set the record straight and show that Brian Moran is the person who will fight for Virginia families."

McAuliffe apparently was ready to go with a response, because he released a TV ad of his own yesterday that reacts to Moran's ad.

"It's very telling that Brian Moran is once again relying on negative and misleading attacks against Terry in his first television ad," said McAuliffe spokeswoman Lis Smith. "Terry is running on his strong record of creating thousands of jobs-a record verified by the Washington Post today. In these troubling economic times, Virginians are looking for a governor with the right experience to create jobs and get our economy back on track - someone with a positive vision for Virginia's future - not someone focused making misleading and negative attacks."

Here is Moran's "Records," which aired for the first time yesterday prior to the Democratic debate:

Here is McAuliffe's "Stepped Up":

McAuliffe also released this week a radio ad in response to a Moran radio ad regarding his support for Barack Obama following the Democratic primary, during which he worked for Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama handily won the Virginia primary.

"I campaigned hard for Hillary Clinton," McAuliffe states in the ad. "But when the primaries ended I campaigned just as hard to help elect Barack Obama."

The 60 second ad "will run on adult urban contemporary, gospel, and religious radio stations in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets," according to the campaign.