CNN

A new web video links Sarah Palin to Charlie Crist and Kelly Ayotte.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senate Democrats are using Sarah Palin's decision to leave office later this month in a new Web video linking the Alaska governor to two GOP candidates in key battleground states.

The new spot from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee features an oath of office repeated by voices intended to represent Palin, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, and flashes images of hands with their fingers crossed behind their backs.

Crist and Ayotte have both announced their intention to run for the Senate next year; Ayotte has decided to resign early in advance of her run. Palin has not said whether she may be weighing a run for another elected office.

The first attempt to use Palin's pending resignation to slam Republican candidates began earlier this month, just days after she her decision.

(updated with GOP reaction after the jump)

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(CNN) – The first woman to serve as New Hampshire attorney general announced Tuesday that she's stepping down in order to explore a run for the U.S. Senate.

"Recently, many New Hampshire citizens have urged me to run for United States Senate," Republican Kelly Ayotte said in a statement. "I appreciate their confidence in me. After discussing this matter with my husband, Joe, and our family, I have decided to resign as Attorney General in order to explore a campaign for the United States Senate."

Ayotte has served as New Hampshire's attorney general for five years. She was first appointed to the post by Republican Gov. Craig Benson, and later re-appointed by Democrat and current Gov. John Lynch.

The seat she may run for is currently held by Republican Sen. Judd Gregg, who is not running for re-election next year. Last week, former Republican Sen. John Sununu announced he would not run for Gregg's seat.

Ayotte says her resignation takes effect on Friday July 17, and that she'll discuss her future political plans after she leaves the Attorney General's office.
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