Porter on the air with first TV ad

U.S. Rep Jon Porter released the first television ad of his 2008 campaign today. The 30-second commercial, titled, “Solar,” focuses on energy costs.

“Solar energy: inexpensive and safe for the environment,” Porter (R-Henderson) announces at the top of the spot, adding, “Best of all, there’s plenty of it.”

The ad was shot on location at Boulder City’s Nevada Solar One, the third- largest solar facility in the nation.

The race for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District seat pits Republican incumbent Porter against state Sen. Dina Titus (D-Henderson).

But Porter’s ad isn't solely an endorsement of solar power.

"It is going to take more than just solar,” Porter says. “We need to act and that means increased domestic drilling and exploration to give us some relief at the pump today.”

The third term member of Congress has been a vocal advocate for off-shore drilling. In July, he filed a discharge petition in order to force a vote on the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, which would open portions of the outer continental shelf to oil exploration.

Porter narrowly defeated Democrat Tessa Hafen in 2006 and his race against Titus is shaping up to be a close one as well, with both candidates heavily engaged in fundraising and receiving substantial sums from their respective parties.

According to Andrew Stoddard, a Titus campaign spokesman interviewed in a Las Vegas Review-Journal article, Titus' first ad will air later this week.  Stoddard did not specify whether her ad would also address energy policy.