LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Calley on Friday launched his gubernatorial campaign's first TV ad, in which he touts Michigan's economic gains this decade while saying the job is not finished.
The 30-second spot, which will run for nearly three weeks on network and cable stations along with websites, makes Calley the second GOP candidate to air an ad — though his is expected to have a broader reach than one aired by Dr. Jim Hines.
Calley's ad shows the avid runner jogging through a town as more people gradually join him. Without mentioning term-limited Gov. Rick Snyder, whose job approval ratings have been low, Calley says he ran for lieutenant governor to help people, including workers, the disabled and those fighting addiction.
He says conservative policies have led to the creation of more than 500,000 jobs, "and we're leaving no one behind." He and the other runners get to a finish line and Calley asks: "So is the job finished? No. We're just getting started." A narrator then urges listeners to "continue the comeback" by backing Calley — who is among four main Republicans running for governor.
Attorney General Bill Schuette had led in early polling, with the August primary less than five months away. GOP state Sen. Patrick Colbeck also is running.
The only other candidate to run ads is Democrat Shri Thanedar, who has given his campaign nearly $6 million and plans to air ads continuously until the election. Former legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer is considered the favorite for the Democratic nomination in a contest that also includes former Detroit health director Abdul El-Sayed and retired business executive Bill Cobbs.