NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A national political action committee is buying $180,000 worth of television ads criticizing Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais over revelations that he once urged a mistress to seek an abortion.

The House Majority PAC's ads begin running Monday in the Nashville and Chattanooga markets which reach population centers on both ends of the 4th Congressional District. The group associated with Democratic congressional leaders had previously spent $100,000 on ads in the race.

DesJarlais' campaign platform includes his opposition to abortion rights. He has argued he was using strong language to try to pressure the woman to admit she was not pregnant.

Democrat Eric Stewart raised twice as much as DesJarlais in the most recent reporting period, but the incumbent still held a 3-to-1 advantage in cash on hand.