From CNN Ticker Producer Alex Mooney

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Democratic candidate Patty Wetterling went on the air Tuesday with an ad accusing GOP leaders of "covering up" former Rep. Mark Foley's Internet communication with underage House pages.

This is the first television campaign ad to cite the Foley scandal.

"Congressional leaders have admitted covering up the predatory behavior of a congressman who used the Internet to molest children," an announcer says at the top of the 30-second ad. "For over a year they knowingly ignored the welfare of children to protect their own power."

Evan Tracey of TNSMI/Campaign Media Analysis Group said the ad could be effective.

"The most common crime spot of the 2006 election right now is stopping Internet sexual predators," Tracey, a CNN's consultant on advertising spending, said. "Now this spot has a face, and it is Republican Congressman Mark Foley."

Wetterling's 11-year-old son was abducted in 1989 and has never been found. She is running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minnesota, who is running for Senate. The Republican candidate is state Sen. Michele Bachmann.

Wetterling's ad can be viewed at her website

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