COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Democratic Party called on Republican Gov. Mark Sanford on Friday to send a $2,500 campaign donation back to a group connected with illegal cockfighting.

Sanford suspended state Agriculture Commissioner Charles Sharpe Thursday after he was indicted on a dozen federal charges including extortion and money laundering. He was accused of accepting at least $20,000 from the South Carolina Gamefowl Management Association in exchange for helping the group avoid legal trouble.

Democrats said campaign finance records show the group, which is involved in breeding and raising birds for cockfighting, sent a check to Sanford's campaign the day before he was elected in 2002.

"Gov. Sanford took money that is tainted by scandal," said Joe Erwin, state party chairman. "To avoid any appearance of impropriety, Sanford should return this campaign contribution immediately."

Sanford's campaign finance director Ashleigh Streeter said all of the governor's contributions were legal.

"As far as the governor knew, this was a group supporting one of his favorite sports - duck hunting," Streeter said. "This contribution was made the day before the election and the governor didn't even know it had been made until after the election."