SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Green Party candidate for Congress in Central New York's 24th District says she will have no part of financial backing from supporters of her Republican opponent. Ursula Rozum says her campaign has turned up evidence of contributions to her campaign committee by longtime backers of Republican incumbent Ann Marie Buerkle.

Democrats continue to claim that Rozum could take votes away from their candidate, former Congressman Dan Maffei, in what is seen as a very close contest.

The Grace family, connected to a longtime banking family in Florida, have given to Buerkle in the past and directed $4,250 to Rozum's campaign.

“These donations should be very worrisome to everyone because it just shows that the rich in this country are really trying to game the electoral system. Giving to candidates that are polar opposites just shows that there are interests in this country that think that they can buy the electoral system. So, it really underscores the need for electoral reform,” said Rozum.

Rozum is taking the donations and writing checks to local charities.

The Buerkle campaign denies any involvement, saying it is not something they would encourage.