Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk releases first TV ad
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Version 0 of 1. Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s) released her first television advertisement Monday, becoming the third candidate to take to the airwaves in the Democratic primary race to represent Maryland’s 4th Congressional District. The state delegate has bought about $44,000 worth of air time on cable stations in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel countries. The purchase comes two weeks after two rivals — former Prince George’s state’s attorney Glenn F. Ivey and former lieutenant governor Anthony G. Brown — began buying time slots in Washington-area broadcast and cable markets. The ad, titled “Tough as Nails,” says Peña-Melnyk has taken on tough fights over issues such as gun control in Annapolis and will do the same if elected to Congress. At the end, the candidate is shown with her son and daughters getting ready for breakfast. One of her daughters pours nails from a cereal box into a bowl. [Watch: Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk’s first television ad ] The ad will appear in Prince George’s this week and will air in Anne Arundel by next week, the campaign said. Neither Brown nor Ivey, whose political bases lie within the boundaries of Prince George’s, are airing ads in Anne Arundel. But the district spans both counties, and Peña-Melnyk has ties to voters in Anne Arundel because parts of the county are in her state legislative district. [Watch: Glenn F. Ivey’s first television campaign ad] According to public records, Ivey — who was endorsed Monday by former Maryland governor and Prince George’s County executive Parris Glendening — has spent more than $220,000 on television ads. Brown has spent more than $189,000. Both men have said they will also be advertising on the radio. They and Peña-Melnyk have drawn more political contributions and launched more robust campaign operations than the other Democrats on the ballot in the April 26 primary: retired Army Lt. Col. Warren Christopher, retired U.S. Marshal Matthew Fogg and former Census Bureau employee Terence Strait. [Watch: Anthony Brown’s first television campaign ad] The candidates are vying — along with several Republicans — for the chance to succeed U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards, who is running for Senate. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic, and that party’s nominee will be heavily favored in November. With four weeks until the primary, two advocacy groups that have endorsed Peña-Melnyk — Emily’s List and the Latino Victory Fund — are committing $150,000 for six pieces of direct mail touting Peña-Melnyk’s campaign. The mailings will be sent starting April 4 and will target newly registered voters and Democrats who don’t usually turn out for primaries, Emily’s List spokeswoman Rachel Thomas said. Read more on the candidates: Former Maryland Lt. Gov Anthony Brown says he wants to reveal more of himself Glenn Ivey: Former county prosecutor now seeking to serve in Congress Maryland Del. Peña-Melnyk aims to bring a personal touch to federal politics |