O'Malley Ad Spotlights Record

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley touts a "housing boom," a reduction in violent crime and improving test scores in his city in the gubernatorial hopeful's latest television ad.

The ad, which started airing yesterday in the expansive Baltimore media market, says that O'Malley (D) "takes on the tough challenges" and has "a record of innovation and progress in Baltimore."

On education, the 30-second spot paints a very different picture than an ad being aired by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) that focuses on Baltimore's lowest-peforming schools. In fundraising letters, Ehrlich has also sought to knock O'Malley for crime in his city.

O'Malley, meanwhile, is set to accept the endorsement of the Sierra Club at an event this morning in Ellicott City at which he will seek to contrast his committment to the environment with that of Ehrlich.