SCARBOROUGH — Republican Senate candidate Charlie Summers is airing a TV ad introducing himself to voters.

The spot highlights Summers’ background as a Navy officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, former Small Business Administration regional chief and secretary of state who sought to reduce teen driving fatalities. It points out that he was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The ads are the first paid TV ads by a candidate in the race to succeed Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Spokesman Drew Brandewie says the TV ads kick off Wednesday. He said it was a “substantial” purchase of air time but didn’t immediately provide an amount.

Meanwhile, an ad urging Democrats to stick with their candidate, Cynthia Dill, over independent Angus King continues with another TV buy by a super PAC with GOP ties.