Prosecutor Controversy Hits the Campaign Trail

ABC News’ David Chalian Reports: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched its first ad of the 2008 cycle against Rep. Heather Wilson, R-New Mexico, highlighting her pre-election phone call to now-fired US Attorney David Iglesias in which he claims she inquired about "sealed indictments" which caused him to feel some inappropriate political pressure.

The radio ad is set to begin running on drive time radio Wednesday morning and the DCCC plans to run the 60-second spot for the next five days.

"A phone call is made. . . a scandal begins," intones the narrator of the ad which goes on to include audio from Iglesias’ Senate testimony describing the phone call he received from Rep. Wilson.

In a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday, Iglesias writes, "Ms. Wilson asked me about sealed indictments pertaining to a politically charged corruption case widely reported in the news media involving local Democrats. Her question instantly put me on guard."

Wilson is a perennial DCCC target. The Albuquerque, New Mexico area district she represents is very evenly split and was home to one of the closest congressional contests in the nation last year. Wilson secured her reelection by defeating Democrat Patricia Madrid by roughly 875 votes last November. The Democrats do not yet have a candidate who has declared his/her intention to take on Wilson in 2008. Wilson is also oft-mentioned as a possible Senate candidate should Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) choose to retire.

"The DCCC has failed miserably targeting Wilson in the past, including in one of the toughest environments for Republicans since Watergate," responded Jessica Boulanger, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.  "Wilson has proven she knows how to win and this time will be no different," she added.