Des Moines, IA- The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board is investigating allegations that third district congressional candidate Melissa Vine's campaign tried to rig a political action committee's endorsement. Radio Iowa reports that the Iowa Unity Coalition filed the complaint. It accuses Melissa Vine's campaign of using campaign funds to register new members in the group as it held an online vote to determine which Democratic candidate it would endorse. The group flagged dozens of names it believes Vine's campaign improperly registered. It's illegal in Iowa to make a donation to a political action committee like the Iowa Unity Coalition in someone else's name. Vine's campaign initially called the episode a clerical error, but Vine fired her campaign manager last week. Vine's campaign told the Des Moines Register a staffer took actions that do not reflect the campaign's values, and he is no longer a part of the campaign. Vine is running against Lannon Baccom in next month's Democratic Party Primary, for a chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in the General Election.

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