Oregon Public Broadcasting

Republican candidate for Oregon governor Chris Dudley hit the airwaves today Friday with the first television commercial of the general election season.

It comes exactly one month after Dudley won the GOP primary. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

The 30-second spot makes no mention of Dudley's party or any policy proposals. It's more of biographic glimpse at the former pro-basketball player's life.

Announcer on ad: "Diagnosed with diabetes at 16, Chris Dudley refused to give up, working his way through Yale and onto a career in the NBA."

Dudley has never held elected office. He's raised $1.9 million in his bid for governor, including more than $130,000 since his primary win last month.

A couple of polls since the primary show Dudley with a slight lead over opponent and former governor John Kitzhaber.

That's given the Democrats a rallying point. In fact, they're using concerns over Dudley's edge in a fundraising appeal.

Kitzhaber does trail Dudley in the overall money race. But he's raised nearly as much as the Republican since the primary and currently reports having more cash on hand.