Vice President Joseph Biden has cut a radio spot for businessman Scott Murphy, the Democratic nominee in next week’s special House election in upstate New York.

The 60-second ad, which will begin running throughout the district Thursday, has Biden telling voters that he and President Barack Obama want Murphy to help them tackle the hard work ahead in Washington, D.C.

Biden’s radio spot is the most active participation yet by the White House in Murphy’s special election campaign against state Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco (R). Obama on Wednesday sent an e-mail to his supporters in New York, urging them to help Murphy.

At the start of the ad, Biden attempts to establish his connections to upstate New York, reminding voters that he’s a graduate of Syracuse University Law School.

“I not only root for the orange, I root for upstate New York as well,— he says. “That’s why this special election you’ll be holding next Tuesday, March 31, is so important to me.—

Murphy has made his support for Obama’s economic stimulus plan the cornerstone of his campaign, and Biden drives that point home in the radio ad.

“Scott supports our economic recovery plan because it means 76,000 jobs for upstate and funding for schools, which helps keep property taxes down,— he says. “We have a lot of work to do, and Scott will help get it done.—

Public and private polls have shown the race between Murphy and Tedisco to be very close. Siena College is scheduled to release its final poll on the race Friday.