Seems Jeff Rogo, government affairs consultant for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, was a little surprised to see Bay Buzz announce earlier today that his group had endorsed Rene Flowers. The Democratic candidate for the County Commission District 3 seat had released a statement to that effect.

Actually, the commercial real estate group's local PAC donated $500 to Flowers AND to her opponent, Republican School Board member Nancy Bostock. No endorsements were made. Flowers said there had been a misunderstanding and corrected her campaign Web-site, changing the language and removing the group's logo, when she heard from Rogo.

"It was an honest mistake, Flowers said.

Asked whether there had been any miscommunication, Rogo said: "On the contrary, when I handed her the check this morning, I told her very clearly this was only a donation, it was not an endorsement."

Despite the gaffe, Rogo said he didn't regret giving money to Flowers, who like Bostock impressed his group. It's unlikely any endorsement, which must be approved by his group's national office, will be coming in the race, Rogo said.

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer