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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

The Republican Governors Association has begun running the first negative television ad of the general election race for governor, criticizing Democrat David Ige and trying to boost Republican Duke Aiona. But two political analysts question whether the commercial will be effective.

Over ominous sounding music, the announcer starts the TV commercial by saying "Neil Abercrombie calls David Ige a good partner. Leading the way for an estimated $800 million in taxes and fees. We're now the worst state to make a living.

The TV spot tries to link Ige to the failures of the administration of fellow Democrat Neil Abercrombie, the incumbent governor who Ige beat in a primary election landslide last month.

University of Hawaii Manoa political science professor Colin Moore doubted the new commercial will be effective for one major reason.

"Trying to tie Ige to Abercrombie in voters' minds might be pretty difficult, because most of them voted for Ige precisely because they didn't agree with Abercrombie," Moore said.

John Hart, the chairman of the Communication Department at Hawaii Pacific University, agreed that trying to link Abercrombie with Ige will not be successful.

"Ige has no close relationship, Hart said.He beat the pants off the guy in the election and I don't think Hawaii is going to say the two of them are connected."

The ad said Republican Duke Aiona will strengthen the state's economy and create new jobs.

The Republican Governors Association, based in Washington, D.C., did not return Hawaii News Now's call or email to tell us how much money it will spend on these and other ads trying to boost Aiona.

Read more from the original source:
Republican group runs first negative ad of the governor's race