ST. LOUIS -- For months, Republican congressional hopeful Ed Martin has chipped away at U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan with an incessant stream of press releases on everything from the congressman's boat to his leadership PAC.

This week, he began his air assault.

Martin, who has been keeping pace with Carnahan in the fundraising race, unveiled his first television ad. Unlike his earlier communications, Martin's television spot stays away from attacking Carnahan -- the commercial doesn't even mention the incumbent.

Nor does it mention, directly at least, that Martin is a Republican, perhaps a smart move considering his running in the district Dick Gephardt represented for many years.

The ad highlights Martin's work fighting against the Anheuser-Busch takeover -- he's the founder of SaveAB.com -- and provide a subtle hints about his Catholic faiths. (One scene features Martin observing grace before a family meal)

Martin, a former aide to the archbishop, is hoping for support from some of St. Louis' Catholic Democrats, a constituency that helped propel Gephardt from City Hall to Capitol Hill.

Carnahan will likely be up with his own television ad before November -- something he hasn't had to do in previous re-election campaigns.