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Bob Etheridge debuts his first television advertisement in the Democratic governor's race Tuesday with plans to air the education-focused spot through the May 8 primary.

The former Congressman is spending $188,000 to show the 30-second spot on broadcast TV in Greensboro and Raleigh the first week and then adding Charlotte and Wilmington in the final week before the primary election, according to buy data provided by GOP operatives. His heaviest concentration of markets is Greensboro and Raleigh.

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton is spending more than double Etheridge on TV advertising, hitting about $406,000 -- which is probably a sign of fundraising prowess, too. (Those numbers are expected to leak this week with reports due April 30.) Dalton  began airing his TV ad last week with most concentration in Wilmington and Greensboro.

The Democratic campaigns for governor are preparing to launch an ad war later this month. With early voting starting in two weeks and the primary about 35 days away, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton has apparently reserved time on broadcast TV from April 17 to May 7 for an ad campaign. GOP operatives report the buy is starting at $315,000.

Dalton's campaign refused to confirm the numbers or talk about its TV strategy. But the advertisement is apparently not yet filmed.

His rival Bob Etheridge, who is showing an early lead in the polls, recently filmed his first ad of the campaign. It is expected to hit the airwaves later this month, the campaign says. The former congressman hired consultant Steve Murphy to produce the ads.