Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick’s first campaign ad acknowledges he has both cut the state budget and increased taxes during his first term in office.

In a commercial that began airing statewide on Sunday, the incumbent Democrat says the moves were needed to maintain record investments in public education and health care. He says his principle rivals, Republican Charles Baker and independent candidate Timothy Cahill, would have made different choices. And he says electing them on Nov. 2 would lead the state backwards.

Both Baker and Cahill have criticized Patrick for his tax increases. Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein is also running in the election. She is the only candidate who has yet to being television advertising.