Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Lively has filed a $7 million lawsuit against Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts GOP.

Lively is claiming that the state Republican Party violated its own bylaws by endorsing and helping Baker in his reelection campaign before the Sept. 4 primary.

Lively is a Springfield-based pastor who is best known for his virulent anti-gay rhetoric.

At the April 28 MassGOP convention, 27 percent of delegates voted to support Lively over the incumbent Baker, in apparent dissatisfaction over Baker's moderate stance on issues like abortion and Baker's distancing himself from Republican President Donald Trump.

Baker said there is no place in public life for rhetoric like Lively's on issues such as gay marriage.

The Massachusetts Republican Party decided in February, even before delegates endorsed Baker at the convention, that they would help the incumbent governor fundraise and gather signatures for reelection. The party said it would not assist Lively.

Lively's lawsuit cites efforts made by State Republican Party officials to gather signatures for Baker, fundraise for him and set up meetings for him with local Republican committees.

"The endorsement and signature gathering activities by the State Committee on behalf of Baker had the effect of shutting out Lively from obtaining signatures from many venues, as the MassGOP was seen as already endorsing Baker," Lively wrote.

Lively said he had been assured by Republican State Committee Executive Director Matthew St. Hillaire in January that the party would remain neutral until the state primary.

Lively also included in the lawsuit House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-North Reading, because of a letter Jones wrote to State Committee members calling Lively's views "violent and extremist."

Lively was accused in federal court of inciting violence against gay people in Uganda. A judge dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds but described Lively's views as "crackpot bigotry."

Lively is asking for $7 million in damages, arguing that the party breached its contract and interfered with contractual relations by breaking its bylaws and assisting Baker. Lively accuses the party of discriminating against him based on his religious beliefs on abortion and gay marriage. The lawsuit also charges MassGOP with unfair and deceptive trade practices, and Jones and Baker with defamation.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Gregory Hession in Worcester Superior Court.

Naysa Woomer, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Republican Party said the party would decline to comment, on the advice of legal counsel.

Baker's political spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lively v Baker Complaint by Anonymous SnY0inh on Scribd