National Democrats have launched a new attack against Charles Djou in broadcast and Internet ads highlighting the Republican candidate's opposition to the federal stimulus plan, which they credit with saving thousands of Hawaii jobs.

Djou released new television and radio spots, defending himself and criticizing his two main Democratic rivals, Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa.

Case released a new ad of his own, capitalizing on his recent endorsement by the Honolulu Advertiser. Candidate Colleen Hanabusa planned to air new campaign ads this week, a spokeswoman said.

The ad wars are expected to heat up as the date draws nearer for the mail-in special election.

Ballots go out to households in the 1st Congressional District, from urban Honolulu to Mililani, on April 30. The results are scheduled to be tabulated May 22.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released its second ad targeting Djou, arguing that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — which Djou has staunchly opposed — saved thousands of jobs in Hawaii, including 2,000 education jobs.

“;Imagine, while Hawaii schools are struggling just to stay open, Djou supported cutting thousands of teachers, increasing class sizes across the state,”; the ad states.

Djou's ads coincide with mailers that highlight the “;false”; declaration of the DCCC's first ad and also take a swipe at Case and Hanabusa.

“;You've probably seen the negative ads by my opponents and their insider friends from Washington,”; Djou says in the ad. “;They're personally attacking me and distorting my record because my whole life I've always stood up to the old boy network and put Hawaii's interests first.

“;Unlike Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa, I've never voted for a tax increase or supported wasteful government spending.”;

DCCC spokesman Andrew Stone called Djou's ad “;hypocrisy,”; adding that Djou “;has traveled to Washington, D.C., multiple times to meet with national Republican leaders, accepted endorsements and money from presumed Republican presidential contenders and even hosted the Republican National Committee in his City Council district.”;

The Hawaii Republican Party put out its own statement defending Djou.

“;Democrat outsiders are once again attempting to smear Charles Djou's record in an effort to deceive voters and infect Hawaii with dirty partisan politics,”; the party said. “;What these D.C. operatives don't know is that the people of Hawaii will not allow mainlanders to interfere in an election that is about what is best for Hawaii.”;