Swaim said there was at least a name (Iowa Republican Party) on this latest attack, as a series of anonymous and unpleasant phone calls began while he was still in session this year.

He described the Republican leadership as losing its moral compass, but added that he did not want to make this into a Republican bashing incident.

Since the mailing, Swain said, he has received an overwhelming number of calls of support from Republicans in the district, as well as from Democrats and independents.

“Important principles of the Republican Party need to be included in discussion, but with smear campaigns,” he said, “the discussion is lost.”

House Speaker Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, was unapologetic about the mass mailing.

“Rep. Swaim used that same charge against Republicans two years ago; it’s a taste of their own medicine,” he told the Ottumwa Courier Friday.

“Kurt’s record is a little more than that one vote. The guy [Burdett] served four days in jail — that’s all Kurt.”

Rants said while it was disappointing that Wiskus has switched party affiliation from Republican to Independent, he still backs Wiskus.

“Kevin is free to do what he wants; he’ll be a good state representative whether voters elect him as an Independent or a Republican,” Rants said.

Both Swaim and Wiskus said they plan to continue to run clean campaigns between now and Election Day on Nov. 7.

District 94 represents residents in Appanoose, Davis and Wayne counties.