A campaign flier distributed to voters this weekend by the Frank Baker campaign touting his endorsement by State Senator Jack Hart has been repudiated by Hart, who says he has not endorsed anyone in the District 3 preliminary election set for Tuesday. Hart said Baker's listing of his name as a supporter was "improper and unauthorized."

The Baker campaign’s blunder comes days before District 3 voters go to the polls.

“I will be in communication with the Baker campaign sometime today to ask for an explanation as to why an unauthorized endorsement is in their literature piece and ask for a retraction,” Hart told the Reporter.

In a statement emailed to the Reporter after inquiries about the mailer, the Baker campaign said, “In the heat of the final days of this Preliminary Election a mail piece was sent out highlighting a number of endorsements received by our campaign. Unfortunately, in the rush to get the mail piece out in time, we inadvertently left Senator Jack Hart's name on the final version.”

The statement said that while Sen. Hart has made “numerous” positive statements about Baker’s candidacy, he hasn’t endorsed a candidate “and we apologize for any error that has occurred.” The statement added: “This was an honest mistake by the campaign and we want to clarify the situation.”

Hart, the majority whip in the state Senate, is a South Boston Democrat whose First Suffolk Senate district includes District 3.

“I know Frank Baker and I think Frank Baker is a great candidate,” Hart said Sunday. “I know other candidates in the race, John O’Toole, Mary [Tuitt] and others, and I think this is a great race that’s going to play out.”

Hart added, “the people are going to decide who is the best person for this job.”

Earlier this summer, Baker was endorsed by state Rep. Marty Walsh, a Dorchester Democrat, and state Rep. Nick Collins, a South Boston Democrat. A slew of unions, including ones representing pressmen, ironworkers, and taxi drivers have also endorsed Baker.

The preliminary election on Sept. 27 will narrow the field to two candidates. The final election is on Nov. 8.