The Race for California

His 30-second spot traces his track record as governor from 1975 to 1983, and focuses on three of his main priorities: frugality, local control of government and no new taxes without voter approval.  

The ad, which is set to start airing later this week, goes through a laundry list of accomplishments during Brown’s first two terms as governor, including the creation of 1.9 million jobs and $4 billion in tax cuts.

“California was working,” the ad says.

The ad, which is short and direct, is Brown’s first proactive ad and the first to be officially released by his campaign. His Republican rival Meg Whitman has released a number of attack ads and has already called Brown’s first ad misleading and inaccurate.

“After 40 years in politics protecting the status quo, it's no surprise that Jerry Brown is kicking off his campaign with a misleading historic renovation of his own record,” the Whitman campaign wrote in a press release.