Steve King Congressional Race: Dems Call For Ethics Investigation Into GOP Rep.

Dems Call For GOP Rep.'s Investigation
FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2011 file photo, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa speaks in Washington. Republican-leaning areas in states vital to President Barack Obama's re-election prospects are drawing top-tier Democratic congressional candidates who, even if they lose, could help turn out the vote and boost Obama's chances of winning a second term. The best example of the trend is former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack, challenging GOP Rep. Steve King in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2011 file photo, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa speaks in Washington. Republican-leaning areas in states vital to President Barack Obama's re-election prospects are drawing top-tier Democratic congressional candidates who, even if they lose, could help turn out the vote and boost Obama's chances of winning a second term. The best example of the trend is former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack, challenging GOP Rep. Steve King in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Iowa Democrats have asked for an ethics investigation into Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), reports the Des Moines Register.

King launched political attacks against his challenger, Christie Vilsack, during a video town hall meeting with his constituents last week. The meeting was promoted heavily by King's congressional office, with mentions on his official Facebook page and in emails and tweets from congressional staff.

King's event and its promotion may violate rules that prohibit congressmen and their staff from using public resources for campaign activities.

Neither King's communications director or the Office of Congressional Ethics would comment on the matter, according to the Register.

King, who has the support of the Club for Growth, has the fundraising advantage in the race, but Vilsack's inflammatory comments and less favorable district lines may give her a chance of beating the incumbent.

10 more election stories from beyond the presidential field:

Democratic Reps. Russ Carnahan and William Lacy Clay (Mo.) Sling Mud In First Primary Debate [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Michael Baumgartner Releases First Ad In Effort To Unseat Wash. Sen. Maria Cantwell [The Olympian]

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) Criticized For Failure To Appear For Deposition [Sarasota Herald Tribune]

Democratic Ad, "The Millionaires," Targets California Reps. Dan Lungren, Jeff Denham, Mary Bono Mack and Brian Bilbray [LA Times]

Texas Runoff Garners National Attention With Last-Minute Clinton Endorsement [Houston Chronicle]

Mailer Attacks Two Of Three Challengers, Ignores Other In Georgia 12th Congressional Race [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Hannemann, Hanabusa maintain slight leads in Hawaii congressional races [Hawaii News Now]

Sarah Palin Cuts A TV Ad For Mo. Sen. Candidate Sarah Steelman [ABC News]

Shelley Berkely Releases Three Ads Denying Ethics Issues In Nevada Senate Race [Las Vegas Review Journal]

Indiana Gubernatorial Candidates, Rep. Mike Pence and John Gregg, Compete For Spotlight With Simultaneous Policy Announcements [Indianapolis Star]

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post misattributed the promotion of the town hall to Vilsack's office. It was promoted by King's staff.

Before You Go

Nuts Bring Buckets of Same

More Crazy Examples of Congressional Theatrics

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot