PROVIDENCE, R.I. — With Rhode Island early voting set to begin Wednesday, independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block rolled out two television ads Monday, while an arm of the Laborers’ International Union of North America is preparing to spend $500,000 to support Democrat Helena Foulkes. Block’s ads present him as both a defender of election integrity and a critic of the political establishment. One spot focuses on his work for Donald Trump’s campaign after the 2020 election, when Block challenged the president’s voter-fraud claims. The other argues that Rhode Island needs a change in leadership. “Rhode Island needs something different,” Block says in the latter ad. The campaigns’ planned television spending differs sharply. Foulkes booked about $150,000 in TV time for the coming week, while Block’s latest orders totaled roughly $25,000, based on a review of Federal Communications Commission filings. Foulkes’ current ad describes her as an outsider who would make state government work for people beyond the politically connected. The planned union spending was disclosed by a person with direct knowledge of the group’s plans. The Laborers group previously spent $100,000 backing Gov. Dan McKee against Foulkes in the Democratic primary. The union itself has not formally endorsed Foulkes, although the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, an affiliated organization led by Laborers secretary-treasurer Michael Sabitoni, recently did. “Rhode Island needs a governor who understands that economic growth depends on skilled workers, responsible contractors and strong labor standards,” Sabitoni said in a statement accompanying the council’s endorsement. Other outside and party spending is also supporting Foulkes. The Democratic Governors Association has transferred $500,000 to its local affiliate, the Alliance for a Better Rhode Island. The state Democratic Party has more than $300,000 in its account and sent voters a mailer criticizing Block’s past as a Republican candidate. Block’s campaign released an internal poll last week showing Foulkes leading him 42% to 25%. That survey was conducted by the campaign; an independent poll from 12 News and Emerson College was scheduled for release Tuesday. Republican nominee Aaron Guckian, who had about $7,000 in his campaign account as of the previous Monday, announced a proposal Monday to create a state permitting czar to help municipalities move projects through approval more quickly. Foulkes, Block and Guckian are scheduled to take part in a radio debate Tuesday and a televised debate on Oct. 20. Independents Jay Gotra and C Reynolds are also on the gubernatorial ballot.