Shaheen, Bradley hit airwaves before summer

Besides being ex-office holders, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) and former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) share one other thing in common: they are the first too begin airing campaign ads.

Bradley launched television and radio ads last week, while Shaheen began airing television ads yesterday.

One reason both campaigns might be running ads now is to get out their initial message, according to University of New Hampshire professor Dante Scala.

"The window for running ads is about to close because of the summer, when most voters aren't paying attention to politics," Scala said. "So you run your ads now then tune-it-down until Labor Day."

Both ad buys on WMUR are relatively small. Bradley is airing his thirty-second ad from May 12-May 22 for $47,150, while Shaheen's ad is airing from May 20-May 26 for $93,000.

Though the ads are local they appeal to national donors who both campaigns will look towards for financial support.

"Shaheen has to play catch-up with Sununu to raise money," Scala said. "For Bradley part of the ad is to talk to national donors and make sure the race looks competitive."

Shaheen's ad focuses on her time as governor and reintroduces herself to New Hampshire voters.

"Shaheen has some work to do to reintroduce herself to voters, for some her tenure might be out-of-sight, out-of mind," Scala said.

The Shaheen campaign says the ad appeals to all voters.

"The ad is for all voters, it's reflective of what we've been saying on the campaign trail for months," said Shaheen Communications Director Kate Bedingfield.

Bedingfield added that the ad is "another way to have an on-going conversation with the voters."

While Shaheen's ad does not directly mention her opponent, U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley), Bradley's ad takes direct aim at his potential general election opponent U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

"Jeb wanted to get his message out and let people know that we're running a serious campaign," Bradley's campaign manager Periklis Karoutas said.

"We felt it was the right time, we just came out with endorsements from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the firefighters and we've rolling out our leadership teams," Karoutas added.

By focusing on Shea-Porter, and essentially ignoring his primary with former state Health and Human Services Secretary John Stephen, Bradley puts pressure on Stephen.

"The ad also puts pressure on Stephen to do something and not be ignored," Scala said.

"Obviously, May is very early to start airing television ads. It seems odd to be running the ad this early," said Stephen's campaign manager Greg Moore. "Jeb Bradley has made a strategic decision and we'll be making decisions based on our schedule."