Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is up with her first TV ad in her 2012 reelection campaign, going after the "special interests" that want to see her out of office.
In a statement, her campaign said that outside interests -- including the Republican Party and super PACs -- have spent a total of $3.8 million against her.
"Since day one, Claire has fought as a strong, independent voice for Missouri, holding government accountable and keeping the special interests in check. Claire's stepped on a lot of big toes in Washington and now these corporate special interests are spending a lot of money on vicious attacks in a desperate effort to get rid of her," McCaskill for Missouri 2012 Campaign Manager Adrianne Marsh said. "But at the end of the day, this election is about a choice between Claire, a fighter for Missouri's middle class families, and the heavily-funded special interest groups that want to protect their power in Washington."
WATCH:
Transcript of the ad:
They're not from around here. Spending millions to attack and attack. But what they're doing to Claire McCaskill is nothing compared to what their special interest agenda will do to you.
They want to end Medicare as we know it; Claire fights to protect it. They want more tax breaks for multi-millionaires and oil companies; Claire cuts taxes for the middle class. They back unfair trade deals for China; Claire says, 'Make it in Missouri.'
I'm Claire McCaskill, and I approve this message.
According to the AP, this year Missouri's U.S. Senate race "has gotten off to an earlier advertising start than when McCaskill ran six years ago, perhaps because neither party had a competitive primary last time." At least three Republicans -- Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), former state treasurer Sarah Steelman and St. Louis businessman John Brunner -- are running to challenge McCaskill in the general election.