Click here to watch "Desert."

That's the message Rep. Tom Udall has for Washington in a new ad, "Desert" (subscription), released today. The Democrat is up against GOP Rep. Steve Pearce in the race for the Senate seat of retiring Republican Pete Domenici.

Shown in an arid region of the state, Udall says in the 30-second spot that "people in Washington think New Mexico is nothing but desert. They don’t think about our people and our jobs." He goes on to recount the ways he has helped the state in Congress, including issues related to defense and energy research.

New polling suggests Pearce is facing a steeper and steeper climb against Udall after his narrow primary victory in May over rival Rep. Heather Wilson. After trailing by 16 points in May, the Republican now faces a gap nearly twice that.