In a new radio advertisement, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock disputes Democratic opponent Joe Donnelly’s contention that he is a political moderate.

“Joe Donnelly says he’s in the middle of the road when it comes to Indiana. But in Washington, Donnelly only knows how to turn left,” the narrator says.

The ad by the campaign for state Treasurer Mourdock cites a reported statement by Rep. Donnelly, D-2nd, that he would support retaining Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as Senate majority leader; Donnelly’s two votes for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to be House speaker; and Donnelly’s support for the health care law, the economic stimulus legislation and federal loans for Wall Street banks.

Elizabeth Shappell, communications director for Donnelly’s campaign, said in an email that Donnelly “breaks with his party almost more than any other member of Congress.” She referred to votes in which “he’s reached across the aisle” to support a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget, extend the Bush-era tax cuts and oppose “cap and trade” legislation for curbing air pollution.