U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s campaign launched a statewide television and digital ad Tuesday that links the Iran war to rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, making the conflict a central issue in the Colorado Democrat’s first general-election commercial. In the 30-second spot, Hickenlooper says farmers are paying 50% more for fertilizer and that diesel and gasoline prices are at their highest levels in years. He attributes those costs to what he calls President Donald Trump’s “illegal war” with Iran, which he says has cost more than $150 billion and “far too many lives.” Those figures and claims are presented in the campaign ad. The ad also targets Republican nominee Mark Baisley, a state senator from Woodland Park, over his reported view that the conflict is “worth all this pain.” Hickenlooper says voters need a senator focused on Colorado and on lowering the costs of energy, health care and housing. The campaign said the ad is the first part of a seven-figure buy that will run through Election Day, Nov. 3, on broadcast television, cable and streaming platforms, with additional digital advertising. Baisley had not yet begun statewide advertising, according to the campaign information available Tuesday. Hickenlooper, a former Denver mayor and two-term governor, is seeking a second Senate term. Retired business owner Bob Chew is also running, on the Forward Party ticket, and has said he is increasing spending on his self-funded campaign to more than $3 million. Chew has been airing television and digital ads since August. The war, launched by the Trump administration on Feb. 28, had the support of 32% of U.S. adults, while 60% disapproved, according to polling aggregated by Silver Bulletin. Hickenlooper’s ad enters the race as ballots begin arriving in Colorado voters’ mailboxes; ballots are due to county clerks by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Federal Election Commission filings showed Hickenlooper’s campaign had slightly more than $2 million on hand at the end of June. Chew reported just over $1 million, and Baisley reported $50,000. National election forecasters rate the Senate race as solidly favoring Democrats. Colorado has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2014.