Texas Gov. Rick Perry is kicking off his TV ad campaign on a positive note ahead of what’s expected to be a negative media blitz targeting rival Republican contender Mitt Romney.
Perry’s first spot is up on the airwaves in Iowa—the host of the leadoff caucuses in the GOP presidential contest.
There’s nothing flashy production-wise in the 30-second spot, which has Perry speaking direct-to-camera. But the ad does feature a bold promise. Perry says he’ll “create at least 2.5 million new jobs” as president.
On energy, Perry pledges more domestic drilling and takes aim at “President Obama’s regulations that hurt other sources of domestic energy like coal and natural gas.”
“That’ll create jobs and reduce our reliance on oil from countries that hate America,” Perry says to end the spot.
Perry’s spending $232K on his initial buy, according to Politico’s Ben Smith. The spot will run through the end of the month.
The launch of Perry’s TV ad campaign comes on the heels of retooling his campaign team. Perry has brought on veteran Republican strategist Joe Allbaugh, who managed George W. Bush’s first presidential race in 2000. Pollster Tony Fabrizio and media consultants Nelson Warville and Curt Anderson have also joined the Perry campaign.