HONOLULU — A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit by a former nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate that said Hawaii television stations discriminated against her for not allowing her to appear in a televised debate.
U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi dismissed Joy Allison’s lawsuit Monday. Allison of Waikoloa filed the $8 million suit in August, alleging that the television stations collectively known as Hawaii News Now wouldn’t put Allison on air because she hadn’t raised enough money for her campaign.
Hawaii News Now attorney David Major said Allison’s lawsuit didn’t have any valid claims.
Kobayashi says she’ll issue a written order explaining her decision by the end of the month or early next month.
Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago says there aren’t any state laws for debates.
Allison plans to appeal.