The campaign to replace retiring Senator Jane Earll (R-Erie) will be the top state senate race in Pennsylvania in 2012. Republican Janet Anderson is already on television with a 30 second bio spot.

She’s the first state house or senate candidate on TV for the general election.

The ad, which is currently appearing on cable in the Erie and Edinboro markets, touts Anderson’s economic development experience in northwest PA. She is a former staffer in Earll’s office and the Ridge administration who resigned from her position as the Executive Director of the Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission in order to run.

“I spent 26 years working for good people like Governor Ridge and Senator Earll to create jobs for our community,” she says. “Now I’m running for state senate to put partisan politics aside and do what’s best for Erie.”

She repeatedly sounds a bipartisan note; fitting because voter registration in the district leans against her.

In a cycle where Republicans are mostly playing defense, this district which includes the city of Erie is the top pickup opportunity for Democrats. According to Labels and Lists, registration there is 56.9 percent Democratic and just 32.8 percent Republican.

Her opponent is Sean Wiley, Director of the St. Vincent Foundation, an organization that manages community outreach and fundraising for the hospital of the same name. He previously worked as Director of Administration for former Erie County Executive Mike DiVecchio.

He came out of a contested primary which corresponded with greater news coverage, meaning that he likely begins the general election race with a name ID advantage (hence Anderson’s decision to go on TV).

Wiley’s campaign brushed off the ad.

“We welcome a spirited debate about the issues that affect Erie and Pennsylvania,” said Campaign Manager Scott McLean, “and look forward to moving beyond sound bites to talk about real solutions.”