You can usually tell how tight an election is by the number of ads on TV. So far this year, you've probably seen at least one of the presidential campaign ads. You've seen or heard of those that Ben Ray Lujan and Don Wiviott are running. (If not, click here.) Rep. Steve Pearce has them, too.

But now another group is getting in on the TV frenzy: the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced it's got ads highlighting what the groups says is the bad environmental records of Pearce and his primary opponent, Rep. Heather Wilson. Those ads are slated to start Wednesday.

The ads so far have been the polished, smooth profile campaign pieces you expect. But don't be shocked to see some negative campaigning before it's all over, and to see some YouTube-style campaign videos out there as well. 

While it's still about two months from the June primary, the big spending on ads should be your cue to start paying attention to what arguably is New Mexico's hottest election year in decades. You know the tv stations are, because it's earning them big money in some otherwise slim times.