State Speaker T.W. Shannon, one of a handful of Republicans running for the Senate special election in Oklahoma, is up with his first TV ad of the cycle, his campaign announced Wednesday.  

The minute-long bio spot, which details Shannon’s faith and his stance on lowering the debt, is backed by a $150,000 buy. It will run on broadcast stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and statewide on cable stations.  

“T.W. Shannon is a sixth-generation Oklahoman,” a narrator says in the ad. “T.W. is guided by his faith. Raised by working class parents, T.W. learned that success comes from hard work, not handouts. And it’s those values that T.W. and his wife, Devon, are teaching their two kids.”

[field name=iframe]

Shannon is facing a competitive GOP primary with two-term Rep. James Lankford, among others. Former state Sen. Randy Brogdon is considering a bid for the seat. Candidates have until April 11 to file the necessary paperwork for a bid.  

The seat is open due to GOP Sen. Tom Coburn’s decision not to finish out his term, slated to end in 2016. Oklahoma law allows Coburn to finish out the year in the Senate while a special election is held to find his replacement, ensuring there will not be a lapse in representation.  

The special-election primary will be held June 24. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff will take place Aug. 26. Those special-election dates coincide with the regularly scheduled midterm election calendar.  

Oklahoma’s Senate special election is rated a Safe Republican contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.