Salina ? A Kansas gubernatorial candidate has been arrested over an alleged altercation at a recent tea party event in central Kansas.

The Salina Journal reported Saturday that Ken Cannon, of Salina, faces charges of battery and making a criminal threat. Cannon is running an independent campaign for governor.

Salina police said Friday that Cannon’s arrest Thursday wasn’t related to the tea party event, although the alleged altercation took place at that gathering.

Police say it started when Cannon ran into the former head of the school board for the Concordia district where he once worked. They say the altercation stemmed from problems that had occurred while Cannon worked in the district.

However, his campaign manager, Keith Davies, says Cannon reacted after someone mentioned the death of Cannon’s son.