JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Ethics Commission will investigate whether state Sen. Kurt Schaefer pressured the University of Missouri to block Josh Hawley from running for Missouri attorney general.

The announcement Thursday reverses a decision made last week by James Klahr, executive director of the commission. He had said the commission didn’t have the power or resources to investigate the complaint.

Schaefer is seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general.

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust alleged in a complaint in April that Schaefer pressured the university to use its leave policy to prevent Hawley, an associate law professor, from also running attorney general. Hawley eventually took a leave of absence and entered the race.

Schaefer has denied the allegations and said it was a ploy by Hawley’s supporters to discredit him.