Republican Kenny Hulshof has parried negative attacks from party rival Sarah Steelman with a new ad that brings even more mud to the mix — and a comparison to a certain Democratic attorney general running for governor.

In the fresh spot, Hulshof takes a swing at Steelman for, well, taking a swing at him.

“Mud: The only thing on Sarah Steelman’s platform,” the ad begins with a splatter. “She spends all her time attacking Kenny Hulshof. She won’t spend time talking about her own record.”

After linking her to labor union and trial lawyers, the ad leans in for the haymaker blow.

“Sarah Steelman: Nasty attacks, bad ideas,” the ad says. “Just like Jay Nixon.”