AUGUSTA -- The ethics commission today voted 5-0 to impose a $5,000 fine on the Maine Democratic Party for filing a campaign finance report 20 days late.

The party sent two mailers in support of Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn, who is running for the state Senate against incumbent Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland. The commission found that the party should be held accountable for the content of the mailings, even though an error was inserted by a consulting firm, not the party.

"I believe we have to hold them to the very highest level of accountability," said commission member Edward Youngblood.