Sandoval wants to turn the table on Dems

Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval is seeking to use attack ads sponsored by Democrats to provide a boost for his own campaign.

An e-mail blast Monday from Sandoval highlights a $500,000 contribution from the Democratic Governor's Association to the Committee to Protect Nevada Jobs.

The latter is a group founded by Democratic consultant Dan Hart and is funding attack ads against Sandoval, presumably to enhance the chances of victory for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid.

Campaign finance laws restrict coordination between campaigns and independent groups, but Sandoval's campaign is doing all it can to emphasize the ties between Hart and Reid in an effort to influence Republican voters.

Polls show Reid is more likely to win office if he faces embattled incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons, as opposed to Sandoval, in the general election. Sandoval says that's why Hart's group is focused on him, not Gibbons or Republican candidate Mike Montandon, who polls show running third behind Sandoval and Gibbons.

The e-mail blast from Sandoval criticized Democrats for the ads and urged supporters to send money to the Sandoval campaign.

"Rory Reid and his liberal allies will stop at nothing, including trying to change the outcome of a Republican Primary, to win this election. That's why I need your help today to fight back," Sandoval said in the e-mail with the subject line "Urgent response needed."