[JURIST] In an escalation of the controversy over judicial nominations, the conservative group Progress for America [advocacy website] began running television advertisements in six states Monday at the outset of a $3.3 million dollar TV ad campaign that will go nationwide next week. The first two ads [recorded video] highlight Judge Janice Brown and Judge Priscilla Owen, blocked by Democrats in the full Senate but earlier approved and recently re-approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee [official website]. The liberal People for the American Way [advocacy website] says it will spend a total of $5 million on its own television ads [recorded video] criticizing the nominees and characterizing Republicans as power-hungry. The New York Times has more.