Dispatch – Republican Josh Mandel appears unable to support his oft-made claim that legions of Democrats are supporting his candidacy for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown.

The Brown campaign says that Mandel’s boasts of strong Democratic support are false and not borne out in campaign-finance data, polls or even anecdotes. In fact, the Brown campaign has received stronger fundraising support from the wealthy Ratner branch of Mandel’s extended family than has Mandel.

“I think he makes these statements that are pretty verifiably untrue,” Brown said.