Unconstitutional? Group sues state over campaign coordination

MADISON (AP) — A conservative group has filed a federal lawsuit asking that a Wisconsin law limiting coordination between third party organizations and political candidates be declared unconstitutional.

Citizens for Responsible Government Advocates filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee on Thursday. It names members of the state elections board and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm as defendants.

The issue of what constitutes illegal coordination between issue advocacy groups and candidates is at the center of an investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign and others.

The attorneys for CRG also represent Wisconsin Club for Growth, which is challenging that investigation as an unconstitutional free-speech violation.

A spokesman for the elections board did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest lawsuit.