U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Ames, has released the first negative advertisement of this year’s campaign for the 4th District Congressional seat.

The ad, which is airing district wide on television, is critical of his opponent Becky Greenwald’s support of the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill passed by Congress in reaction to a downturn in the financial markets.

Latham twice voted against a bailout package, calling it a reward to CEOs with no guarantee that it would work. Greenwald, D-Perry, has said she would have supported the bill if she was in Congress because the cost of doing nothing nothing was too great. She also said the bill, while not perfect, helps to put a floor under the crisis.

The race, which had been relatively low key, has grown more contentious since the pair faced off in two radio debates last week.

Latham opened the line of attack Monday. The 12-year incumbent’s previous two TV ads focused on his own record in Congress.

Greenwald has been highly critical of Latham’s position on health care and social security.