DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party has filed an ethics complaint against Secretary of State Matt Schultz, alleging he used public resources to campaign again Jon Hunstman, a former Utah governor and potential Republican presidential candidate.

Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky on Thursday urged the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to investigate Schultz’s use of public resources “for political purposes.”

Schultz on Monday used his office to send a press release in which he criticizes Huntsman on his intentions to skip the Iowa caucuses due to his opposition to ethanol subsidies.

Schultz says Thursday afternoon that he “defended” the Iowa caucuses and never said that anyone should vote for or against Huntsman. Schultz says the allegations are “without legal merit.”

Schultz, a Council Bluffs Republican, was elected in November.