Menendez airs first TV ad

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, facing a tough re-election bid against a millionaire self-funder, will begin airing his first TV ad of his re-election campaign today.

The ad “Never Forgot,” features   Menendez walking around his childhood neighborhood in Union City,  reminding voters of his humble roots and his record in public office.

Menendez has held on to his cash until now, despite an onslaught of ads from his GOP rival, former Celgene CEO Bob Hugin.

“The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher, and New Jerseyans have a clear choice between a proven fighter in Bob Menendez, who’s never forgotten where he comes from and for whom he fights every day in Washington, and Bob Hugin, who left Union City, abandoned his roots and never looked back,” said Steve Sandberg, a spokesman for the Menendez campaign.  “Bob Menendez has always stood up for New Jersey and been right on the issues that New Jersey families care about.  Bob Hugin is a far-right Republican out of touch with New Jersey values who got rich ripping off cancer patients and who’s too afraid to stand up to Donald Trump.”

The ad:  I was raised here. So was my Republican opponent. I never forgot my roots. He has. I’m fighting for equal pay and affordable healthcare; he’s for corporate tax breaks. I’m working to lower prescription costs; Hugin gouged cancer patients. And I’m standing up to Donald Trump. He donated hundreds of thousands to him. I’ve never forgotten where I come from. And whose side I’m on. And now, that’s never mattered more. I’m Bob Menendez and I approve this message.