Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), who's expected to formally jump into the race today, dropped the first TV ad of the special election campaign to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Ted Kennedy.

In the ad, he touts his standing up alongside Kennedy in opposition to the Iraq War, and says he "mirrors his progressive record."

Capuano already finds himself well behind in the polls -- a Suffolk University survey out yesterday showed Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley way out in front.

The six-term congressman represents the Boston-area 8th District, including Cambridge, Somerville and Chelsea. He's won easily in every election since coming to Congress in 1998.