CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A national conservative group is weighing in on West Virginia's 1st Congressional District race.

Democratic candidate Mike Oliverio says the American Future Fund has bought $325,000 worth of TV ad time on at least a half-dozen stations serving the 20-county district.

The ad buy exceeds the last reported campaign balances of either Oliverio or Republican candidate David McKinley.

The Iowa-based group's members were behind several well-known ads attacking Democrats. Those include 2004's Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against presidential nominee John Kerry.

The group says it promotes conservative and free market principles.

It did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.