TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback’s campaign recently approached a Westar Energy official for a campaign debt donation while the utility is in the process of seeking a rate increase.

A campaign official contacted Mark Schreiber, Westar’s government affairs vice president, more than a week ago looking for help retiring the governor’s campaign debt.

The contact with Schreiber takes place when Westar is requesting a $152 million rate increase from the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Brownback spokeswoman Eileen Hawley says Brownback’s office doesn’t influence the KCC’s operations or decision-making.

Westar spokeswoman Gina Penzig acknowledges the request to Schreiber and says it was referred to Westar Employees’ Political Action Committee, which hasn’t made a decision on it yet.