Sen. Bob Corker launches ad campaign next week for his reelection bid

photo Senator Bob Corker
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., intends to make a big splash in his reelection bid next week as he begins airing the first two of four television ads in a projected $2.5 million ad buy throughout the course of the campaign.

The Corker campaign says the first two 60-second spots are intended to put a spot light on the former Chattanooga mayor's "path to public service, his frustration with Washington, and his determination to solve the country's most pressing problems."

The ads start running in advance of the Aug. 2 Republican primary. Another 30-second spot is planned later in the primary.

In one ad, Corker speaks directly to the camera and notes at one point "something was missing" from his life despite a successful business career, which led him to join a church mission to Haiti and eventually to public service.

The other features his wife, Elizabeth, narrating the lawmaker's trek from a construction company owner to a church mission trip to Haiti and a growing interest in public service that led to Chattanooga mayor and, in 2006, election to the U.S. Senate.

His wife notes Corker "got elected mayor, built an entire new waterfront in thirty-five months. And went on to help recruit Volkswagen to our state. Says the Senate is harder. Too much party first, not enough America first."

Corker Chief of Staff Todd Womack said the two 60-second ads and a planned 30-second spot will alternate in the days leading up to early voting and the primary. The second 30-second ad will run in the general with the other ads.

The $2.5 million buy at this point is expected to cover the primary and the general elections, Womack said.

Corker's GOP primary opponents are Brenda Lenard of Sweetwater and Zach Poskevich Poskevich of Hendersonville.

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