By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

For several months, the meme in the Montgomery County Commissioners race was that Democrats Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards were ready and able to spend over a million dollars on their campaign.

With just under three weeks left until election day, Montco voters are about to find out how much air time a million dollars can buy.

The Shapiro/Richards campaign this afternoon unveiled their first television ad, a 30 second split negative/positive piece that says Republicans Bruce Castor and Jenny Brown, “left the door open for a tax increase.”

The spot, which will air on broadcast as well as cable, was produced by Shorr Johnson Magnus, part of President Barack Obama’s 2008 media team.

Shaprio is a state rep from Abington, and Richards was elected Whitemarsh Township Supervisor.

Castor is the incumbent County Commissioner, while Brown serves as a Lower Merion Township Commissioner. They began to air their first television ad, also a split 30 second positive/negative piece, on Monday.