Unalaska, AK – Rep. Carl Moses's opponents in this year's House race are calling on the Unalaska Democrat to give back the campaign contributions he received from Veco Corporation executives last month.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Moses received campaign contributions totaling $3,000 from Veco executives, four of whom have ties to an FBI investigation of six state legislators. The contributions to Moses's campaign came shortly before the representative voted on an oil and gas tax bill in which Veco had an interest.

But Moses said he supported the bill anyway, and that he plans on keeping the money because he knows he has nothing to hide, and he doesn't believe that his constituents think otherwise.

"I can't imagine they would see it that way," Moses said. "I guess there's always that possibility, but my conscience is clear."

But Ron Bowers, the Republican candidate for House District 37 who may face Moses in the general election, said that if Moses really is in the clear, he should put his money where his mouth is.

Whether or not Moses will even be running against Bowers in November is uncertain. He's still locked in a virtual tie with Bryce Edgmon, his Democratic primary challenger, pending a recount of the district's votes. Although Edgmon has been less vocal about the Veco issue than Bowers, he says that if he were in Moses's position, he would have given the money back.

Veco often gives money to incumbent campaigns, and Moses isn't the only legislator who's hanging onto it even though the company's fortunes have fallen.

Moses points out that he's on record supporting the tax legislation before he received the contribution, because it included a provision for a new school in New Stuyahok. He said that Bowers and Edgmon are playing politics. But Bowers said it's a matter of voter confidence, and that giving back the $3,000 is in the best interest of whoever wins November's election.

"It's not a political issue - it's a trust issue," Bowers said. "It would send a message, and it would help whoever the winner of this House District 37 race [is] to gain back the trust of the public."

State officials hope to certify a final vote count in the House District Democratic primary by Friday. The general election is on November 7.