Freshman Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., released his first ad of the cycle Thursday, touting work he’s done that he says has helped “hold Congress accountable.”  

The ad, provided first to CQ Roll Call, is part of a $2.2 million buy on cable, broadcast and online through November.  

“Scott Peters kept his promise: blocked congressional pay raises, and helped pass the ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Act, if they don’t pass a budget, they don’t get a pay check,” a narrator says in the 30-second spot.  

https://youtu.be/PSaKi6HqLqE  

It comes comes after Crossroads GPS, former George W. Bush White House official Karl Rove’s tax-exempt issue advocacy group, went up with a $705,000 ad buy from Aug. 19 to Aug. 28, hitting Peters for past budget votes.  

Peters is facing a top-tier challenge from former San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio in California’s 52nd District, located in and around San Diego.  

The 52nd District already is shaping up to be one of the most competitive House contests this cycle.  

Peters led DeMaio 48 percent to 43 percent in a recent poll conducted by a Democratic super PAC — just barely outside the margin of error.  

The race also is likely to be one of the most expensive.  

Both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee have already reserved millions in television advertising here in the fall. House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, also is set to air ads.  

National Republicans tout DeMaio as one of this cycle’s top House recruits.  

DeMaio’s previous run for mayor of San Diego in 2012, and his previous four-year tenure on the San Diego City Council, make him well-known by the district’s residents.  

He also has garnered considerable national press as a gay Republican and with a campaign message touting middle-of-the-road conservatism.  

But Democrats in both San Diego and Washington, D.C. say DeMaio’s message contradicts his political history.  

California’s 52nd District is rated a Tossup by The Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call. President Barack Obama carried the district by a 6-point margin in 2012, while Peters ousted former Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif., with 51 percent.  

Related stories:

The 10 Most Vulnerable House Members


Democratic Poll: Freshman Holds Minor Lead Over Carl DeMaio


Carl DeMaio Reserves $1.2 Million in Fall TV Time


Roll Call Election Map: Race Ratings for Every Seat


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.