Louisiana state Senate candidate Troy Terrell said he reached for the wrong checkbook.

That's how Terrell explains an illegal campaign contribution he made to a fellow Republican, state Rep. Alan Seabaugh of Shreveport.

Terrell, who is challenging Senate District 38 incumbent Sherri Smith Cheek, wrote a $500 check in March from Harvest Outreach Ministries, a non-profit group Terrell heads.

It's a tax violation for such non-profits to make campaign donations.

Seabaugh recently sent the money back and Terrell wrote a personal check for $500 to Seabaugh's campaign, both men said.

Seabaugh represents House District 5.