By Spencer Hunt
Enquirer Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Don't wait to send a donation to Jerry Springer. Act now!

Using a technique that's helped sell millions of exercise machines, food dehydrators and rotisserie ovens, Springer hopes a 30-minute infomercial about his ambition to be Ohio's next senator will inspire legions of fed-up voters to send in money.

For $25, supporters get a T-shirt featuring the logo "Run Jerry Run" in red - or blue "to match your eyes."

For $100, the shock-TV ringmaster and former Cincinnati mayor is offering a T-shirt and a photo of himself standing next to the Hicksville, Ohio, city limits sign.

But that's not all.

"I know I'm going to get fired for this, but I'm going to throw in the ($15) bumper sticker!" says infomercial co-host and pitchman Jene Galvin, a Cincinnati public radio talker who appears with his brother and fellow radio personality Jerry Galvin.

Springer's campaign team unveiled the commercial in Columbus Thursday, calling it an innovative approach that could raise the millions needed to win a race for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican George Voinovich. Springer's team will file official candidacy papers today, but insist Springer won't decide if he will run until month's end.

His opponent for the Democratic Party's nomination, state Sen. Eric Fingerhut, D-Cleveland, is certain Springer's a candidate. He says the commercials, which began airing in six other states early this morning, are a stain on Ohio's reputation.

"Jerry Springer wants to make us a laughingstock," Fingerhut says.

Springer's response can be found throughout his spot, which also includes all the good details of his life and testimonials from prominent Cincinnatians.

"There's no question they will try to use the show against me," Springer says.

The commercials began appearing in Memphis, Tenn.; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; New Orleans; San Antonio; and New York. They should show up in Cincinnati within the next several days.

E-mail shunt@enquirer.com