Braley to air first ad for U.S. Senate campaign

DAVENPORT — Iowa Democratic Senate hopeful Bruce Braley will air his first television ad Friday in his campaign to replace the retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.

Braley, a congressman from Waterloo, is unopposed in the June 3 Democratic primary. But as the primary date draws nearer and voters are more prone to tune into the political calendar, it's an opportune time to hit the airwaves.

It's not clear how much Braley is spending on the ad, but a contract for airtime at a Cedar Rapids television station has been posted to the station's website.

Jeff Giertz, Braley's spokesman, confirmed that a statewide buy will begin Friday, but he declined to provide details.

Five Republicans are vying for the party's nomination to run against Braley in November.