Court rules NC Senate candidate Brannon misled investors

A North Carolina court found on Tuesday that North Carolina Senate candidate Greg Brannon (R) misled two people into investing in a tech company he helped launch, a ruling that could hurt Brannon’s chances in his Senate primary.

As a result of the judgment, Brannon may be held personally liable for the money the investors put in. The jury ruled that Brannon’s co-defendant hadn’t misled the investors.

{mosads}Brannon, in a statement to The Hill, promised to appeal the decision.

“I completely disagree with this verdict and feel that I was treated unfairly by the court. The whole situation is very sad,” he said. “I will defend my integrity and will be appealing this decision.”

The ruling could hurt Brannon’s Senate campaign and boost North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis, the GOP front-runner.

Brannon has been positioning himself as the Tea Party alternative in the race and has the support of FreedomWorks and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). The candidates are in a crowded field vying to face Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), who Republicans view as a top target this election cycle.

Tillis also secured the endorsement of the Republican group GOPAC on Wednesday.