Did Hudak’s Campaign Fake An Endorsement from Scott Brown?

Yesterday, we received a press release from Bill Hudak’s campaign that Scott Brown had endorsed him. Before we even had a chance to blog about this, his campaign’s official Twitter account alerted both Hub Politics and Red Mass Group about the endorsement. We reported it, as did Red Mass Group and local media.

Well’ it appears now that endorsement was not legitimate.

Dan Kennedy reports that Scott Brown’s campaign informed him that Brown did not endorse Hudak.

Interestingly enough, the Hudak campaign’s Twitter account appears to have been deleted.

The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room has more:

The Hudak campaign released a statement last night touting Brown’s endorsement and even quoting the newly elected Senator. But Brown’s campaign says they did not approve the release, and won’t comment on whether Brown has actually endorsed Hudak.

“Neither Scott Brown or anyone connected with his campaign approved that press release before its release or the quote that was attributed to Scott,” said Felix Browne, a spokesman for Brown. “Bill Hudak is an energetic candidate who has been working hard as a candidate for Congress. Right now, Scott Brown is focused on the job that people elected him to do. That’s his number one priority.”

Hudak’s campaign says Brown gave a private, verbal endorsement to Hudak, and blasted Brown’s staff for reneging.

“Scott Brown gave his endorsement to Bill Hudak and it’s unforuante that the people Scott Brown surrounds himself with are backing dowm from a commitment that their boss already made,” said Tyler Harber, a spokesman for Hudak.

Harber added that Hudak and Brown are friends and that Hudak worked tirelessly for Brown during his Senate bid.

“If you went to Bill’s office right now you’d probably still find Brown’s people packing their stuff up,” he said.

UPDATE: As of 10 AM on January 22, our emails to the Hudak campaign have gone unanswered.

UPDATE: Hudak’s campaign issues a retraction.

Matt Margolis is co-author (with Mark Noonan) of Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority. He also blogs at The Buffalo Bean. Follow Matt on Twitter.