RICHMOND, VA. ? Democratic Senate candidate Jim Webb has a television ad ready to air featuring praise from his late boss Ronald Reagan – and Nancy Reagan called on him Friday to cancel it.

Webb, who was Reagan’s Navy secretary before Webb switched to the Democratic Party, uses the ultimate GOP icon to send a sentimental message to conservatives and moderates courted by his Republican opponent, Sen. George Allen. The ad is scheduled to begin airing next week.

But a three-paragraph letter from the former first lady’s office said the use of footage of Reagan, who died in 2004, is “neither authorized nor appropriate.”

The 30-second ad opens with video of Reagan praising Webb during a commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985, when Reagan was president and Webb, a Navy grad, was an assistant secretary of defense.

“James’ gallantry as a Marine in Vietnam won him the Navy Cross and other decorations,” Reagan says on the video.

The first lady’s letter said use of his name and image implies endorsement of the candidate.