HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democratic political action committee began running TV ads in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to boost Democratic Sen. Bob Casey’s reelection bid against a surprisingly strong challenge from Republican Tom Smith, a tea party favorite who has personally invested more than $16 million into the race.

The Majority PAC ad said Smith’s cost-cutting agenda to eliminate the federal Department of Education would mean less money in classrooms, fewer children in Head Start and less aid for college students.