Topeka ? Westar Energy has asked House Speaker Kent Glasscock to return a $2,000 campaign contribution, citing Glasscock’s decision to be Wichita Mayor Bob Knight’s running mate on the GOP gubernatorial ticket.

Westar, the state’s largest electric company, said in a letter to Glasscock that the company no longer felt its contribution would be used to benefit a candidate for governor that the utility could support.

“In our experience, Bob Knight’s leadership style is one that is divisive and expensive for taxpayers and ratepayers. We don’t believe his approach is good for Kansas,” wrote Doug Lawrence, Westar’s vice president for public affairs.

Knight said returning the money was no problem. He added that he would have given it back even if Westar had not asked.

“I have zero in common with the management of Western Resources,” Knight said, referring to Westar’s parent company, based in Topeka. “I have not and will not be intimidated by their leadership.

“I don’t want their money. I’m not for sale.”

Lawrence said the money had not been returned as of Tuesday.

Westar originally gave the $2,000 to Glasscock when he was teamed with Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall in the Republican race. Glasscock has since transferred a sizable balance from the former Stovall campaign to the Knight ticket.

Westar criticized Knight for his efforts to equalize rates in different areas for Westar customers. Generally, rates are higher in southeast and south-central Kansas.

Knight has said he was advocating forcefully for his city and thought Kansans would be pleased to have a governor willing to fight for his constituents.

“I’m pro-business, but not at the expense of the people,” Knight said.