A new TV commercial began running this week criticizing state Sen. Chris Marr for running an auto dealership that settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with an employee.

The issue popped up in Marr's first run for office in 2006. Marr, a Democrat, is in a heated reelection battle with Republican Michael Baumgartner.

We at Spin Control haven't seen the ad yet, but we are told it was financed by a group called "Spokane Families for Change."

According to the Public Disclosure Commission, Spokane Families for Change raised $80,000 from one donation from a Kirkland-based fund called "Working Families for Change."

The Kirkland group's $200,000 came entirely from three donations this year from "The Leadership Council."

The Leadership Council's has raised $827,000. The biggest donations are from the Republican State Leadership Council, Washington Health Care Association, the Building Industry Association of Washington, the Washington Hospital Association political action committee, Sabey Corp., Katsam, Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, Comcast and MillerCoors.

Only four individuals with Spokane addresses are listed as contributors to the Leadership Council. They each gave $500: John Condon, Terrill Hunt, David Moore and Larry Moran.