UPDATE: It was just confirmed to us that Hill was a delegate for Ron Paul in 2012.

In a bit of an unexpected development, former Congressman and Presidential aspirant Ron Paul endorsed State Senator Owen Hill for the U.S. Senate race. Along with his endorsement came a donation of $2,500 from Paul’s Liberty PAC.

“Owen Hill is exactly the kind of person Colorado and this country needs in the US Senate,” said Paul in a letter.

Known to some as the original Tea Partier, Paul’s support could provide a major boost to Hill’s campaign. Paul’s Presidential campaign was a significant force in the nominating process in Colorado last year, banding together with supporters of Rick Santorum to send a slate of delegates to the Republican National Convention, beating out many supporters of nominee Mitt Romney.

It’s not clear exactly how much support Paul will provide to Hill going forward – no announcement was made about campaign stops or additional fundraising support. But it will certainly get Hill a once over from Paul’s supporters, many of whom changed their registration to Republican last year so they could back the Texas Congressman in the Presidential precinct caucus.

Hill is competing against Weld County DA (and 2010 Senate nominee) Ken Buck and fellow El Paso County resident State Representative Amy Stephens for the nomination.

The full endorsement press release is after the jump:

RON PAUL ENDORSES OWEN HILL FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

Dr. Ron Paul, former Congressman from Texas, Republican Presidential candidate, and father of current Senator Rand Paul, has endorsed Owen Hill’s run for United States Senate in Colorado.

“Owen Hill is exactly the kind of person Colorado and this country needs in the US Senate.”

Dr. Paul released a public endorsement letter where he referenced Hill’s track record of standing for liberty and with the people of Colorado.

“[Hill’s] stand against the Colorado gun bills, along with his bills to eliminate the food tax, rein in unconstitutional spending and bring worker freedom to Colorado with right to work shows me he can be counted on to work for limited government and more personal liberties,” Dr. Paul said of Hill.

Dr. Paul recognized that, “these are tough things for veteran legislators to do. It is even more impressive to see a freshman take leadership and stand firm on these issues.”

“I am honored by Dr. Paul’s enthusiastic support and am grateful for his model of advancing freedom during his time in Congress,” Hill responded. “Dr. Paul built his political identity around standing for states rights, defending life, and working relentlessly to decrease the size and scope of the federal government.”

Hill concluded that, “This is yet another big milestone for our campaign. I look forward to following in the footsteps of leaders like Dr. Paul and standing along side heroic conservatives like Rand Paul in the Senate.”

Included with Dr. Paul’s endorsement was a $2,500 donation from Liberty PAC.

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