Don Young Up With First Campaign Ad

Ethically-embattled Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) is up with his first television advertisement for his re-election campaign, arguing that seniority matters as he prepares for tough primary and general election contests.

The ad, airing throughout the state of Alaska, highlights his nearly 35 years of service representing the state in Congress.

“I’m not one who believes that I can’t be replaced. I know that will happen some day,” Young says in the advertisement. “But seniority does work! It is valuable to the state of Alaska.”

The early ad is a sign that Young is preparing for a tough re-election bid with nearly seven months until the August 26 Republican primary. In the primary, Young is facing state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, who has touted herself as a conservative reformer.

"In an era when you see the word change in all capital letters, this ad is about the congressman saying it’s not about Don Young. It’s about the job. It’s about working for Alaska," said Young's media consultant Art Hackney.

LeDoux has been highly critical of Young as she mounts her campaign, telling the Fairbanks News-Miner that “there is a desire for change throughout this country, and in this state I feel it’s almost palpable.”

She told the paper she has raised over $100,000 in the most recent fundraising quarter against Young – far less than his recent fundraising totals, but a respectable amount for a first-time primary challenger.