Third-party gubernatorial candidate sues GOP Senate leader

State Sen. Sam McCann, who last month announced his intention to run for governor under a new third party, has sued Bill Brady, the state Senate Republican leader, claiming he is being denied services provided by Senate staff members

McCann, who is from downstate Plainview, said in a news release Tuesday that since April 19 he has been denied access to taxpayer-funded legislative services like staff and technology.

Brady, a Bloomington Republican, did not immediately return requests for comment. Last week Brady told the Springfield Journal-Register that McCann had resigned from the GOP caucus and Brady accepted.

But McCann said while he announced his intention to run as a third-party candidate, he has not yet withdrawn his membership from the Republican Party.

The news release said he has not completed the necessary steps to establish the Conservative Party.

The lawsuit claims that removing McCann's access to the minority caucus resources without a hearing violates his constitutional right to free speech and due process.