2010 election ad hits the airwaves

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - New Mexico's gubernatorial election isn't until November 2010, but the negative political attack ads are about to begin.

On Monday, an ad paid for by the Republican Party will hit the airwaves 16 months in advance of the actual election.

The ad links Lt. Gov Diane Denish to an ongoing federal pay-to-play investigation, which prompted Gov. Bill Richardson to withdraw his name from a cabinet post.

State Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon reacted to the ad with a statement that said in part, "The Republican Party of New Mexico is already desperately beginning the negative attacks that often come from a party running scared."