Maine’s ethics commission will not pursue a complaint from a Portland man that Democratic state Rep. Ben Chipman sent a mailer to voters without disclosing its financing.

A spokesman for the commission said it voted unanimously Wednesday not to further investigate the complaint.

Steven Biel contended that a mailing supporting Chipman was not exempt from financial disclosure requirements. Biel has been supporting Democratic Rep. Diane Russell, who is running for a state Senate seat that Chipman is also seeking.

Chipman says he isn’t surprised that the ethics panel isn’t pursuing the complaint. He said his campaign worked with the ethics commission staff “every step of the way” on the mailing and followed its guidance.

The primary is scheduled June 14.


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