Walker hits the airwaves with first campaign ad

Dave Walker is calling in his markers.

Having put running mate John McKinney in a position to qualify for public funding in the governor’s race, the Republican lieutenant governor hopeful from Bridgeport commanded $40,000 for his first television ad from a joint war chest.

The 30-second ad debuted on Connecticut’s four major television networks Tuesday, the same day that McKinney released a $120,000 ad in the governor’s race.

Walker, U.S. comptroller general under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, tells viewers that he led the fight to reduce spending and reform government as the nation’s top auditor.

Both Walker and McKinney mention each other in their maiden ads of the GOP primary race, which will be decided Aug. 12.

In contrast to McKinney, GOP frontrunner Tom Foley does not have a running mate and was able to qualify for public campaign financing on his own. That means he does not have to share precious advertising dollars, which could be another distinct advantage for Foley.

Neil Vigdor