Republican state Rep. Kevin Steele has cut a check to his campaign for Florida’s 14th Congressional District for $2.5 million and is launching his first TV ad.

Steele announced last week that he would be running in Florida’s 14th Congressional District in a bid to challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor in the newly redrawn district.

The ad, entitled “Forged,” will run on cable and network TV stations targeting Republicans likely to cast a ballot in the GOP Primary in August. The ad emphasizes Steele’s conservative record, using common GOP critiques against Democrats in Congress.

“Socialists. Radicals. Open border extremist,” the ad’s narrator says at the open, along with images of chaos at the U.S. Southern border and of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist. “They’re coming back and they’re coming for our President.”

As the narrator continues his ominous warning, images of other Democrats flash on screen, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both possible presidential contenders in 2028.

The warning that “they’re coming for our President” includes the now famous image of Trump, blood sprayed across his face, holding his fist above his head as Secret Service agents rush him from stage during a 2024 assassination attempt.

The ad then pivots to Steele.

“We need a Congressman they won’t bend, a Congressman they can’t break. We need Kevin Steele,” the ad’s narrator continues.

It describes the multimillionaire — the wealthiest Representative currently serving in the Florida House — as “self-made” and “America first,” before going on to list actions in the Legislature through his tenure, including “slashed taxes, cut spending, backed the blue, and deported illegals hiding in our communities.”

“Send them Steele,” the ad’s narrator continues, showing Steele’s name forged in steel. The name pun continues, with the narrator describing Steele as being “forged in Tampa, ready for Washington.”

Steele commented on his campaign’s first ad, leaning into his humble roots.

“Growing up in Tampa, all my family had was each other, our faith and our determination. We were taught to believe the American Dream was real. Not only do I believe in the American Dream, but I’ve also lived it. We have been blessed,” Steele said.

“My family and I are so committed to saving America, I’m putting my money where my heart is and I’m launching our first television ad and network buy immediately.”

The ad comes as Steele’s campaign is beginning to ramp up. After announcing his congressional bid last week, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson endorsed Steele on Monday. The same day, former state Rep. Mike Beltran jumped into the race, pledging at least $1 million of his own money to the bid and setting up a likely competitive Primary.

Former White House staffer Bea Valenti, who worked as a domestic policy advisor to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, announced last week she would also run in Castor’s district.

The race drew Republican interest after mid-decade redistricting made Castor’s previously safe district more competitive for Republicans.

Under the new map, which is being challenged in court, CD 14 shifts southeast and becomes considerably more favorable to Republicans. Under the new lines, almost 55% of voters supported Donald Trump for President while just 44% supported Democrat Kamala Harris.

While the district took a giant shove to the political right and presents Castor with what will likely be her most competitive race since first being elected to Congress about 20 years ago, it will likely still be a close race. Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the district from “Safe Democratic” under its current lines to “Leans Republican” on the new map.

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