Paul Ryan buys television ad time for congressional race

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is launching a television ad campaign in support of his U.S. House bid this week — a separate endeavor for the Washington lawmaker from his national campaign as Mitt Romney's running mate.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Ryan has purchased time with at least one Milwaukee television station over the next two weeks.

Ryan is permitted under Wisconsin law to seek both his seat in the U.S. House and the vice presidency, and other candidates have done so in the past. Most recently, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) won fresh terms in the U.S. Senate despite losing their presidential bids.

If Republicans fall short in the presidential race but Ryan prevails in his House contest, he would win his eighth term. Ryan faces Democratic challenger Rob Zerban in the 1st District race.

The commercials will be paid for from Ryan's congressional campaign committee, rather than the Romney presidential campaign. As of July 25, Ryan had more than $5.4 million in the bank for his congressional race, according to a Federal Election Committee filing.

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