RALEIGH - The North Carolina Democratic Party says it's started running a television ad criticizing Republican leaders at the General Assembly for passing laws that hurt women on issues from abortion and child care to Medicaid and the public schools.

The state party said Tuesday the 60-second commercial is running on cable TV in the Charlotte and Raleigh markets. A party spokesman declined to say how much money is being spent on the ad. An email sent to party supporters asked for more donations to keep the ad running.

The ad features Governor Beverly Perdue, state legislators and former Cabinet secretary and longtime party activist Betty McCain, who said "the GOP has declared war on women." The ad includes footage of Republican House leaders Thom Tillis and Paul Stam.