Beebe appears in 1st television ad for Mike Ross

LITTLE ROCK — Former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross turned to a familiar face for his first television ad in his race for Arkansas governor.

Gov. Mike Beebe, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election this year, urges voters to support fellow Democrat Ross in the 30-second ad that began airing statewide Sunday.

"I've had the privilege of knowing Mike for 25 years, and I've watched him work," Beebe said in the ad. "Mike Ross has the common-sense leadership style that will make our economy work for everyone. His commitment to our children and schools is unwavering. And no one is more independent than Mike. So please join me in supporting Mike Ross for governor."

The TV ad makes no mention of the three Republicans vying for their party's nomination for governor: former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Curtis Coleman and state Rep. Debra Hobbs. Beebe defeated Hutchinson in the 2006 election.

Ross has no announced opponent for the Democratic primary. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter had been in the race, but quit at the end of July.

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