Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-Baltimore) would like to have a conversation with his Democratic and independent friends about Republican Andy Harris.

"Andy Harris is an independent voice with sound fiscal ideas. A reformer we can trust. He'll make a great congressman," Ehrlich says in a new television ad launched this week by the Harris campaign.

Harris, a state Senator from Cockeysville, is currently competing against Democrat Frank Kratovil, the Queen Anne's County state's Attorney in a heated battle for the open 1st Congressional District seat.

The campaign's final two 15-second-spots, both being aired on broadcast cable throughout the entire 1st District, feature Ehrlich and appear to be geared towards independent and undecided voters.

"It's political season and ugly accusations are flying. Andy Harris is a good man: a doctor, a veteran," Ehrlich says in the second ad. "Most importantly, he is an honest, independent voice. That's why I'm supporting Andy Harris."

But Kevin Lawlor, Kratovil's press secretary, says it hard to take the ad seriously.

"I'm not sure when they filmed those ads, but anyone who has been following this campaign during the last month would have a tough time looking into a camera with a straight face and calling Andy Harris honest," Lawlor wrote in an email to PolitickerMD.com. "Anybody looking at this race with an open mind can see that Harris has taken a failing campaign and tried to build it back up on a lie. It says a lot about Andy that the only person he can find to tout this independence is another Republican."

The race has become very heated in recent weeks. Kratovil, who called himself the underdog just months ago, has seemingly caught up to Harris in the final weeks of the campaign.

A recent poll paid for by Daily Kos -- a liberal-leaning blog -- and conducted by Research 2000, showed Harris ahead by 4 percent but within the margin of error. However, a full 16 percent of respondents remained undecided. Harris has confirmed his own campaign has internal polling showing him ahead, but within the margin of error.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, flew into the state to fundraise with Harris this month, the first time he has done so this campaign. U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington), the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told PolitickerMD.com on Monday that he felt the race was "right down to the wire."

The race is now ranked the 25th most competitive U.S. House race in the nation on Politicker.com's Pindell Report.

Politicker.com's Managing Editor James Pindell lists the race as "Leans Republican."

In addition, the Cook Political Report coined the Kratovil-Harris race a "Toss Up" this month, while the Rothenberg Political Report called the 1st District race a "Toss-Up/Tilt Republican."