As the number of days until the June 3 primary dwindles, the number of television and radio ads from mayoral candidates is increasing.

Most of the candidates considered to be in the top or second tier have purchased television time, with ABC30 being the most popular choice, according to the candidates themselves. KMJ Radio and KMPH Channel 26 were also mentioned by several candidates.

Ashley Swearengin and Henry T. Perea, the top fundraisers in the campaign, both said they had bought airtime. Others, from Mike Dages and Jerry Duncan to Tom Boyajian and Doug Vagim, have aired commercials as well.

Tom Holyoke, an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Fresno, said candidates typically buy television ads to attack an opponent or make themselves better known to voters. In this case, he adds, "I'm guessing that a lot of them need more name recognition."

Beyond just getting their name out in front of the public, the candidates are trying "to define themselves as a certain type of candidate," Holyoke said. "The downtown candidate, or the fiscally conservative candidate. They are just trying to show voters who they are."

Is it working? What do you think?