Democrat launches first TV ad in governor’s race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Mahlon Mitchell is playing up his history as a firefighter and accusing Gov. Scott Walker of stealing money from schools in his first television ad.

A spokeswoman for Mitchell’s campaign, Kristen Allen, said the ad will go up on Tuesday in Madison and Milwaukee. She said the ad campaign is costing six figures.

The spot shows Mitchell at a Madison fire station wearing turn-out gear. An unseen narrator says Mitchell has been a firefighter since he was 20 years old and notes that firefighters elected him president of their statewide union.

Mitchell promises to raise wages, fight racism and return money that “Walker stole from our schools.” He doesn’t elaborate in the ad. Allen didn’t immediately reply to an email.

Walker campaign officials didn’t immediately reply to an email.