Arkansas GOP files ethics complaint against Sen. Blanche Lincoln over newsletter

Ark. GOP files ethics complaint against Lincoln

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Republican Party has filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Blanche Lincoln, saying the Democrat improperly used taxpayer funds to mail a newsletter about her re-election bid.

The GOP said Tuesday its complaint to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics was about a four-page mailer from Lincoln’s office that arrived in mailboxes during a blackout period.

Lincoln’s office says the mailers were approved by the committee and released a statement from the Senate Rules Committee confirming they were mailed two days before the blackout. Senators cannot send taxpayer-funded mass mailings within 60 days of the election.

Lincoln is considered among the most vulnerable Washington incumbents. She trails her challenger, Republican Rep. John Boozman, in most polls.