Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina may have to borrow money from supporters to pay back approximately $29,000 in unlawful contributions his campaign has received, The Times Argus is reporting.

Pollina was alerted earlier this month that his decision to opt out of the Progressive nomination and run as an Independent made a number of previous contributions illegal.

State law says that candidates running under a party banner can collect $2,000 from contributors because they have to make it through the primary. Independents can only accept $1,000 from individual donors.

Pollina campaign manager Meg Brook told the Times Argus that the campaign was trying to contact the donors who gave too much, and hopes to find a way to keep the funds.

"As we're telling people, they are shocked and really see this as unfair," Brook told the paper.

Pollina has known about the problem for over a week. The Secretary of State alerted the campaign to the issue earlier this month.

Pollina is seeking the state's top job in a race with Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho).