A month or so back, Sen. Jeff Bingaman was in town filming a campaign ad, which began receiving play time yesterday. According to Heath Haussamen, the ad is not limited to those in the Albuquerque television market, because the ad buy is being targeted at Las Cruces (which is in the El Paso market) as well. That a good move on the part of the Bingaman campaign, and the message of the ad will play well there.

And what is that message? The ad (click here to view) highlights Bingaman’s roots in Silver City, and hits on the education message heavily. He delves further into small-town life in Silver City, and touches on small business as the “foundation for the whole economy.” There’s even discussion of accountability, which will play well among the headlines of corruption plaguing state and national politics.

According to Haussamen, the ad cost the campaign $200,000, which is a pretty big buy considering Bingaman is unopposed in the primary election. His Republican opponents remain silent on the TV front, with three weeks to go until voters hit the polls.

The Daily Press will announce candidate endorsements on Friday, with other New Mexico newspapers beginning to chime in as well. Television ads and newspaper endorsements? It’s crunch time for candidates in the Land of Enchantment.