Republicans say messages Democratic Assembly candidate Bill Brown sent to Assemblyman Scott Rudder (R-Medford) before he decided to run for office belie his recent critical comments about Rudder’s record on veterans affairs.

In a press release asking Rudder and his running mate, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego (R-Marlton), to condemn some recent comments by conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham that Democrats say denigrate Navy SEALS, Brown, a former member of that elite fighting force, said that his opponents “were silent when I fought for education reform for veterans; I hope they do not remain silent now.”

Brown even started a Web site aimed at boycotting Ingraham.  

But messages over the Web site Facebook.com as recently as January show Brown praising Rudder for working on behalf of veterans, including for “helping our efforts to improve the educational opportunities for New Jersey veterans.”

"Assemblyman Rudder, NJ Veterans are lucky to have you supporting us and I think it is awesome that you are working on pro-veteran legislation,” Brown wrote in November.

"Scott, Your military service and voting record are real evidence that your all about helping the men and woman in uniform,” Brown wrote in January.  “I also know your a friendly and down to earth guy who doesn't do things for publicity. (One of the reasons I like you).”

Rudder, who served four years in the New Jersey Army National Guard, said that Ingrham should apologize, but characterized Brown as a puppet of the powerful Democratic machine from neighboring Camden County.  

“I am truly saddened that Bill Brown, someone whose service to our country I so deeply respect, would let himself be sucked in and used by unseemly characters like Richard Perr and the Camden County political operatives who pull his strings,” he said.  

Brown responded that he thought at the time he had an ally for his cause in Rudder, but came to the realization that he was only doing it for “political gain.”

“While Scott Rudder did take meetings with me and offered to champion my causes, his actions quickly made it clear that he was only doing so for show, and he had no desire to actually fight on behalf of Veterans,” said Brown in a press release.

Democrats said in a press release that Rudder has introduced more legislation dealing with feral cats than veterans, and claimed that, while Rudder accompanied Brown to raise money for veteran scholarships in a Wal Mart parking lot, he “did not contribute one dime” or raise additional money for the cause.

“Scott Rudder offered to meet with Bill Brown to discuss veteran’s issues. Legislator Rudder never showed up, however, but Trenton politician Rudder did. Rudder spent the entire meeting telling Brown what Brown should do to help Rudder's re-election campaign,” read the release.