Given the Trey Grayson campaign's skepticism that Rand Paul was really getting an endorsement from Sarah Palin, the irony was especially thick when the Grayson campaign had to retract one of its announced endorsements on Monday afternoon.

The original news release trumpeted 28 state legislators backing Grayson, including Republican Majority Caucus Chair, Senator Dan Seum (R-38) of Jefferson County.  I saw Seum at the Rand Paul rally on Saturday, so I gave him a call Monday night.  Seum tells me he withdrew his endorsement of Grayson and is, in fact, endorsing Paul.  Seum refused to characterize what led to the confusion, although he did contribute to Grayson's campaign.  Seum said he had spoken to Grayson (who is in Washington, D.C. at the Secretaries of State Association meeting) and will support the GOP nominee, regardless of who it is, in the Fall.

The Grayson campaign sent out an amended news release with Seum's name deleted, and campaign manager Nate Hodson bared no hard feelings with Seum.

Given the embarassment of the campaign needing to retract an endorsement, I asked Hodson if he was confident that the remaining 27 state legislators are, in fact, endorsing Trey Grayson.  Hodson tells me it is policy to double and triple check an endorsement confirmation before endorsements are announced.

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Trey Grayson Announces Endorsements from 27 State Legislators

Florence, Kentucky –

            Twenty-seven state legislators representing 39 Kentucky counties announced today that they are endorsing Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s candidacy for U.S. Senate.

            “I am proud to have such widespread support across Kentucky, especially from the Republican elected officials that I hope to be coordinating closely with as the Commonwealth’s next U.S. Senator.  These legislators are all well known and respected statewide.  Their support provides a huge boost to our campaign and will help us continue to build on our strong statewide grassroots organization,” Grayson said.  “Our campaign is gaining momentum each day as we continue to secure support from local leaders.  I look forward to announcing even more key endorsements in the near future.”

Grayson announced endorsements from the following state senators and representatives:

Sen. Julie Denton (Jefferson)

Sen. Tom Jensen (Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Menifee, Powell)

Sen. Vernie McGaha (Adair, Casey, Pulaski, Russell)

Sen. John Schickel (Boone, Gallatin, Kenton)

Sen. Brandon Smith (Bell, Harlan, Leslie, Perry)

Sen. Elizabeth Tori (Hardin, Jefferson)

Sen. Jack Westwood (Kenton)

Sen. Ken Winters (Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, Trigg)

Rep. Scott Brinkman (Jefferson)

Rep. John “Bam” Carney (Adair, Taylor)

Rep. Tim Couch (Clay, Harlan, Leslie)

Rep. Ronald Crimm (Jefferson)

Rep. Bob Deweese (Jefferson)

Rep. Myron Dossett (Christian)

Rep. Bill Farmer (Fayette)

Rep. Mike Harmon (Boyle, Washington)

Rep. Brent Housman (McCracken)

Rep. Adam Koenig (Boone, Campbell, Kenton)

Rep. Brad Montell (Shelby, Spencer)

Rep. Tim Moore (Hardin)

Rep. David Osborne (Jefferson, Oldham)

Rep. Marie Rader (Jackson, Laurel, Owsley)

Rep. Steven Rudy (Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, McCracken)

Rep. Sal Santoro (Boone)

Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington (Kenton)

Rep. Addia Wuchner (Boone)

Rep. Jill York (Carter, Lewis)

            Former 2nd District Congressman Ron Lewis (R-Cecilia) has also endorsed Trey Grayson.