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From today's paper

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Setting a tone in his first television ad of the campaign season, U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello is touting his efforts to bring jobs to the state -- and how dirty he's gotten while doing it.

Perriello, D-Albemarle County, is going up on television early as he starts his first campaign for re-election against what's expected to be a strong challenge from state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham. Independent Jeffrey Clark of Danville is also in the race.

In the commercial that is airing in the Charlottesville and Roanoke media markets, Perriello lists jobs he's worked to maintain or attract since being sworn in 16 months ago, including help for dairy farmers and funding for law enforcement and parks.

He then pokes fun at himself, walking into numerous mishaps -- stepping into a cow pie while at a dairy farm, spilling coffee on himself as he rides with a police officer and getting slapped in the face with a tree branch as he follows a construction worker through a wooded area -- as he explains his accomplishments.

"My name is Tom Perriello and I approve this message because I guarantee that no one will work harder to bring jobs to Virginia," he says at the end of the commercial, covered in dust and dirt.

Perriello defeated longtime Rep. Virgil Goode in 2008 by 727 votes in a campaign in which he used humor in television ads as part of his campaign.

Since his election, Perriello has been targeted and labeled as vulnerable entering the midterm elections.

The Hurt campaign has yet to release a television ad during the general election season, but it has released one online featuring comments from a woman against the health care bill. The ad accuses Perriello of not listening to district residents when he voted in favor of the health care, cap and trade and bank bailout legislation.

In the latest campaign finance report filed May 24, Perriello had $1.6 million cash on hand. Just before the June 8 Republican primary, Hurt had about $121,000 cash on hand. No reports have been filed with the Federal Election Commission since Hurt won the primary.

Perriello's ad can be viewed at perrielloforcongress.com.