Chuck Poochigian has perhaps the most interesting down ticket race in the United States: He’s running against Oakland Mayor (and former California governor and talk radio host) Jerry Brown for the job of California’s Attorney General.

Jerry B. is nothing if not entertaining, but there’s a huge question about whether Rose Bird’s biggest fan can persuade Califronia voters that he’s tough enough and serious enough to handle a job with real impact on ordinary Californians.

Pooch, as he is known in the Golden State, is a very qualified state senator and former assemblyman, as well as a senior figure in the adminsitrations of Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian. He also is from Fresno, which adds glamour too his resume.

The first online ad for Poochigian has been released. It gives a sense of the campaign ahead. It is going to be a fun one.