Mark ClaytonNASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mark Clayton, who won the Democratic candidacy for U.S. Senate in 2012 only to be disavowed by the party, is suing.
According to The Tennessean, Clayton filed a lawsuit this week against the Tennessee Democratic Party and dozens of party officials.
After Clayton won the nomination by a landslide, party officials distance themselves from him, saying Clayton belonged to an anti-gay hate group, and urged voters in the write in any other name in the general election.
Incumbent Republican Sen. Bob Corker easily won the November election.
The lawsuit says party leaders made false and misleading statements about Clayton and forcibly removed him from the party's Nashville headquarters. He wants them fined $500 each and seeks court costs and attorney fees.
Party officials say the suit has no merit.