The ad was sent to Connecticut stations Friday night within hours of Jodi Rell announcing her candidacy for governor.

"We created this ad to send an important signal that we are going to run an aggressive, substantive positive campaign to build a better Connecticut for hardworking families. There is no reason why Connecticut should be last in job growth, why property taxes and college tuition should be skyrocketing, and why we must endure endless traffic gridlock that hurts families and costs us jobs. We can do better," said DeStefano.

The thirty-second ad will begin airing on Tuesday during news broadcasts on WTNH, NBC, Fox 61, WFSB, and on cable News 12 in Fairfield County, and on the DeStefano website at www.DestefanoForCT.com. Said Shonu Gandhi, campaign spokesperson, "This is the first of several early campaign ads we will run at a low-level on broadcast, or on our website to talk about building a better Connecticut. We're going to give Connecticut families a real choice about who can build a better Connecticut for them."

The ad introduces DeStefano to voters as the son of a police officer, husband and father of two, who as New Haven Mayor has led the city's revitalization by significantly cutting crime, improving the city's schools, and creating jobs.

The ad is attached in both Quicktime and Windows Media Player.

The text of the ad is as follows:

Fifty states, but Connecticut is last in job growth. Property taxes skyrocketing. Endless traffic jams.

We can do better.

John DeStefano. The son of a police officer, devoted husband and father.

As New Haven Mayor, new jobs created, crime cut over 40%, dropout rate cut over 40%.

For Connecticut---jobs and economic growth.
For our families. John DeStefano for Connecticut.