U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp offered a set of NCAA Tournament basketball tickets to people willing to contribute at least $10 to his re-election campaign in violation of state law targeting illegal lottery operations, the Douglas County district attorney said Tuesday.

District Attorney Charles Branson sent a letter to the 1st District congressman advising him the campaign's offer on weekend games involving teams from The University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Wichita State University in St. Louis constituted an "explicit" violation of the law. Conviction under the statute is a nonperson felony offense.

"This office received an inquiry from a citizen," Branson said. "This office receives such inquiries from time to time, and our answer is always the same. Such contests are illegal lotteries under Kansas law."

In response Tuesday, Huelskamp's campaign said the district attorney was "misusing his official office in an attempt to score cheap political points."

"As a lifelong Kansas State fan," Huelskamp said, "I refuse to be intimidated by a Lawrence attorney likely still reeling from the 31-10 football blowout this fall and the 85-82 overtime victory by the Wildcats just last month."

An email distributed by the Republican candidate this week to potential donors urged recipients to "enter this opportunity for NCAA Tournament tickets right away." The solicitation indicated the winner of a four-ticket package to the Friday and Sunday showdowns would be selected by random drawing.

"A online contribution to our campaign of at least $10 between now and 8 a.m. Wednesday morning will enter you in the drawing," Huelskamp said in the email.

On Monday, a spokesman for the Huelskamp campaign said the offer had been vetted for legal and ethical pitfalls.

Josh Bell, the campaign spokesman, said on Tuesday, however, that a disclaimer had been included in a follow-up email to Kansans clarifying a contribution to the Huelskamp re-election campaign wouldn’t be necessary to participate. In addition, the deadline for signing up through the campaign website was changed to 9 a.m. Wednesday.

To enter the contest, send an email to huelskampforcongress@rurallink.net or call (620) 242-1125. Submissions will be assigned a random number for the drawing. One entry per person.

Bell said the campaign's adjustment of eligibility rules for the NCAA Tournament ticket giveaway had solidified the event as a "drawing" rather than a lottery.

"It's a drawing, which is legal under Kansas law," Bell said.

Jim Sherow, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 1st District, said he welcomed the revision of Huelskamp's marketing of the NCAA tickets.

"We are glad to see that Rep. Huelskamp and his team have decided not to be lawless in their fundraising activities," Sherow said.