LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) – The first attack ad of the Louisville mayor's race is being launched Tuesday, and it's aimed at the Democratic frontrunner Greg Fischer.  Democrat Jim King's campaign is behind the ad, which accuses Fischer of making business decisions that were not in Louisville's best interests, backing Republicans and exaggerating a business award:

"Greg Fischer has a lot of explaining to do.

"He claims he's a Democrat, but contributes to Republicans, even to Anne Northup. 

"He claims he won a national award, but published reports say his claim is exaggerated.  Fischer's latest claim?  He'll create Louisville jobs, but his record shows otherwise.

"Listen to Greg Fischer explain why he kept jobs in Indiana.

"'We just simply stayed in Indiana because it was easier for us.'

"What's easy for Greg Fischer is just tough luck for Louisville."

UPDATE:  The Fischer campaign released this statement late Monday night:

Jim King is a desperate politician who will do or say anything to be mayor.  This is just the type ad I expected of him.  I will not stoop to Jim King's level and will continue to run a positive, issues based campaign because that is what the people of Louisville deserve.

By targeting Fischer, King confirms what was clear at the April 21 Louisville Forum candidate forum, that Fischer is the clear frontrunner in the Democratic primary.  The WHAS11/Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll from last month showed Fischer 15 points ahead of Metro Council member David Tandy, and 18 points ahead of King (Fischer 31%, Tandy 16%, Jim King 13%).

With no other Democratic candidates yet to hit the air (although Tyler Allen commercials are about to debut), the other campaigns have been anxious for King and his considerable war chest to knock some points off Fischer's lead.  Campaigns are often quick to call such attack ads "contrast ads," but this ad only criticizes Fischer and does nothing to contrast his record with King's.  The only clue that the ad is paid for by King is the four seconds that "Paid for by Jim King for Mayor" appears on the bottom of the screen, competing with video of Fischer and "What's easy for Greg Fischer is just tough luck for Louisville" written above.

WHAS11 reported on the forum exchange which prompted the "it was easier for us" comment from Fischer.  Here it is in context:

"How we can we trust your claim that you'll put Louisville first and that you'll build jobs," Tandy said, "when in fact your track record proves otherwise?"

"Okay, David," Fischer paused, "I would contest that. I've grown over 1000 jobs, so I think I clearly know how to grow jobs better than any of the other candidates."

"We did try to move to Louisville in 1985 before the government was merged," Fischer explained, "and the city, the county and the state were very inept in presenting any kind of economic incentive to our company."

"When you're growing, you're busy," Fischer continued, "You need government to have their act together and we just simply stayed in Indiana because it was easier for us."

I reached King campaign manager Jonathan Hurst to ask him about the attack ad and the King campaign strategy.  He tells me that the commercial is the only negative ad the King camp has in the can, but that a separate radio commercial that also targets Fischer will begin airing onThursday. 

Hurst recalled that two years ago, Fischer justified attack ads against Democratic Senate primary rival Bruce Lunsford by saying candidates have an obligation to tell people who is running for office.  He says the attack ad will run simultaneous with pro-King ads that highlight King's  endorsements from prominent unions, such as the Jefferson County Teachers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.

With Fischer garnering endorsements from Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel and jockey Robbie Albarado, and Republican Hal Heiner endorsed by legendary jockey Pat Day,  I asked Hurst if King had sought any such endorsements.  Hurst said the campaign has not solicited any jockeys endorsements, and has stayed away from politicians and celebrity endorsements, staying with "working families and average, everyday people."