The Kentucky Republican Party chairman is criticizing state Finance Secretary Jonathan Miller for sending out invitations to a fundraiser for Gov. Steve Beshear.

GOP Chairman Steve Robertson says Miller shouldn't be raising funds for Beshear's re-election campaign because he oversees many state contracts.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Miller sent out e-mails last week and posted invitations on his Facebook page to an event for Beshear. The fundraiser is on Saturday in Nashville following the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament semifinal games.

Miller's message says Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen is hosting the event, and Bredesen's press secretary says Bredesen will attend.

Miller says the invitations were sent from his home to friends who had expressed interest in such notices. He says the invitations asked anyone who has a conflict of interest or is barred from contributing to disregard the request.