U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Democratic candidate Jim Gray had the same amount of campaign cash on hand at the start of April, and Gray has dipped into his account for his first big ad buy.
Gray went on the air Friday with a TV ad airing across Kentucky. The 30-second ad focuses on Gray's business experience in building a construction company with sales topping $1 billion a year.
Campaign-finance reports show both Paul and Gray had $1.5 million on hand at the end of March. Gray's campaign account was bolstered by his $1 million loan to his campaign.
Gray, the Lexington mayor, faces six other candidates in next month's Democratic primary.
Paul — who made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican presidential nomination — is seeking a second Senate term.