Seth Scott, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell's re-election bid, told PolitickerAZ.com he is calling for the Susan Bitter Smith campaign to apologize for accusations made in a press release Tuesday.

The Bitter Smith campaign claimed several residents reported receiving calls that were "unflattering" toward Bitter Smith and another 5th district Republican, David Schweikert.

Brian Hummell, Smith's campaign manager, sent out a press release Tuesday saying Mitchell's campaign had "initiated" the calls, but offered no evidence to support the claim. Mitchell's campaign has denied having anything to do with them.

Hummell admitted to PolitickerAZ.com that whoever was conducting the poll would likely not be traced back to Mitchell's campaign, but maintained that the source had to originally lie with the incumbent's organization.

"You know how these things work," said Hummell. "It's like the Hospital Association poll." Hummell was referring to a poll of the district conducted by the American Hospital Association earlier in the year, which showed Mitchell running ahead of Schweikert and Laura Knaperek, another 5th district Republican candidate. It was rumored to have been commissioned by the Mitchell campaign. 

Scott responded to Hummell's remarks heatedly.

"If they're backing down on their claim that they made publicly, I expect they'll be issuing an apology," said Scott. "You can put that in writing."

ALSO on PolitickerAZ.com:

• Bitter Smith accuses Mitchell campaign of push polling
• Mitchell well ahead of GOP rivals in new poll
• Bitter Smith lobbying Mitchell