Air Wars Go Local

Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, launched his first round of television advertising this week with a $40,000-a-week cable TV buy, he said. And there's plenty more where that came from.

Connolly, who has raised more than $1 million, said he hasn't decided whether he'll advertise on network television or stick with far less expensive cable for the duration of the campaign. Presumably, much will depend on whether Connolly's Republican opponent, Gary Baise, starts advertising as well.

Connolly's ad is a biographical piece in which the chairman takes credit for Fairfax County's low crime rate and superior school performance. It makes no mention of Baise.