Ari Kohen, associate professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, liked a Facebook post of a Jeff Fortenberry billboard vandalised to read “Fartenberry”.

The vandalised billboard also changed the Republican congressman’s slogan to: “Strong families. Strong communities. Strong odor.”

Professor Kohen said Fortenberry’s chief of staff reported him to the university’s chancellor and threatened to expose him publicly.

The matter has now been referred to the House of Representatives ethics committee, the Washington Post reports.

As of time of publication, Fortenberry was projected to hold his seat in yesterday’s election with around 60 per cent of the vote.