A southern Kentucky judge has been publicly reprimanded for distributing campaign material via email on behalf of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul during his race last year.

The Judicial Conduct Commission took the action Monday against Circuit Judge Daniel Ballou who serves in McCreary and Whitley counties.

Ballou had acknowledged that he sent the email containing Paul's campaign material to more than 50 other judges across the state. The commission determined that to be a violation of judicial rules that prohibit judges from endorsing political candidates and engaging in political activity.

Ballou cooperated with the investigation and agreed to accept the public reprimand.

The commission dismissed two other charges, including that he had once made a financial contribution to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.