ST. LOUIS -- When Republican Roy Blunt launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, he assured that, unlike previous GOP candidates, he would not cede urban voters to Democrats.

The proof, at the time, was in the footing -- Blunt's campaign kick-off announcement took place at Harris-Stowe State University, the historically-black school in midtown St. Louis.

Blunt comes back to St. Louis in his latest ad, which features a St. Louis small business -- Orpheum Cleaners on South Grand.

As the ad says, Orpheum was founded by the grandfather of current owner Laurie Psaris in 1918. With a freshly-pressed dress in the background, Blunt tells viewers that government regulations have prevented Orpheum from hiring new workers.

Psaris, reached at the dry cleaners this morning, says the ad is accurate. Psaris has put off hiring two new employees because of uncertainty over potential health care costs, although, she said, business is strong enough to warrant new hires.

"I can't at this time until I know what we're going to have to do about providing insurance for all the workers," Psaris said in an interview.

Psaris said she was contacted by the Blunt campaign after discussing her anti-abortion views with customers.

Blunt's campaign should be pleased with the ad, which began airing over the long weekend. It offers a real-world example to buttress criticism of the Obama administration, and gets in a dig at Democratic rival Robin Carnahan, without delving too deeply in the "negative" campaign that turns off some voters.