A Michigan gubernatorial candidate's TV ad promoting his "hire Michigan workers first" plan was produced by an Illinois firm, a Detroit newspaper says.

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State House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, released a TV spot this week touting his "hire Michigan workers first plan," but the spot was actually produced by AKPD Message and Media, a firm based in Chicago, The Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday.

The more than $200,000 spot says Dillon "is fighting for a law to hire Michigan workers first," The Detroit News reported. The spot explains the law would give incentives to Michigan businesses that hire state workers.

AKPD was founded by David Axelrod, a senior political adviser to President Barack Obama.

Dillon campaign spokesman T.J. Bucholz praised AKPD for its work in helping Obama obtain the presidency.

"There are only a handful of companies that do this kind of work. I'm not aware of one in Michigan with that kind of caliber," Bucholz said.