Topeka ? Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback is trying to distance himself from controversial evangelist Lou Engle.

“He (Engle) said a number of things that I’m troubled by,” Brownback recently told the Lawrence Journal-World. “I haven’t had much association with him for some period of time.”

Brownback’s comments were made in a quick question and answer opportunity after a news conference, and Brownback did not elaborate further.

In Tuesday’s Topeka Capital-Journal, Kansas Democratic Party executive director Kenny Johnston said voters should be wary of the relationship between Engle and Brownback.

Engle, who is founder and president of The Call to Conscience, has discussed a possible national civil war to end abortion and praises politicians who denounce homosexuals.

In December, Brownback, a U.S. senator, spoke during a live video “PrayerCast” to oppose health care reform. Engle was also one of the speakers.

Engle has also been linked to efforts in Uganda for legislation that critics said would have allowed the execution of homosexuals. Engle and Brownback also shared a rented condominium for seven months in Washington D.C. after Brownback’s apartment burned.

Engle has said he dreamed that Brownback would be president. Brownback ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2007 but was unsuccessful.

Brownback faces Democrat Tom Holland in the Nov. 2 election.