TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Senate's top Democrat questions the activities of key House Republicans during legislative races last year.

At issue is whether Republican Reps. Mike O'Neal, of Hutchinson; Melvin Neufeld, of Ingalls; and Joe Humerickhouse, of Osage City, improperly funneled money to a GOP candidate, Rep.-elect William Prescott, also from Osage City.

Neufeld is the outgoing House speaker and was unseated in a leadership race by O'Neal. Humerickhouse is retiring, and Prescott is his replacement.

Campaign finance documents show Prescott's campaign received financial help from the Osage County GOP, which had received help from the three Republican lawmakers.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, questions whether it's legal. The three GOP House members deny wrongdoing.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)