Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna is taking his message to television.

McKenna's campaign unveiled its first major campaign ad Friday. The 30-second spot features him talking with his family members about proposals on government efficiency, education and lower costs for businesses.

The ad is set to begin airing on television stations in Seattle, Yakima and Spokane next week. His campaign declined to discuss the size of the ad buy.

Democratic candidate Jay Inslee went on the air with his first ad in recent weeks, using it to talk about his background.

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National money is now flowing into Washington's race for governor, with Democratic officials committing $1.25 million and Republicans reserving ad time for the November election.

Campaign finance reports filed this week show the Democratic Governors Association made a $1 million donation to a Washington political group earlier this month. The Our Washington political action committee has also raised large chunks of money from unions, bringing its total to $2.3 million.

Our Washington has already reserved some $2 million in ad time for the November election and plans to use that time to support Democratic candidate Jay Inslee and question Republican hopeful Rob McKenna.

The Republican Governors Association has also reserved air time closer to the election, with Democrats who track ads estimating that the total purchase is about $1.9 million.

In direct campaign contributions, both McKenna and Inslee have raised a little under $7 million, though Inslee has been buoyed by $1 million in donations from the state Democratic Party. McKenna has more cash on hand, with $900,000 available. Inslee burned through some of his cash for a recent ad buy used to introduce himself to voters.

The Washington governor's race is widely viewed as one of the most competitive in the nation.