State Senator Long sues Christian Coalition

(Tulsa-AP) -- State Senator Lewis Long of Glenpool is suing the Oklahoma Christian Coalition, saying the group's voter guide made false and malicious statements about him.

The suit was filed in Tulsa County District Court yesterday, eight days after Long was upset in his re-election bid by Republican Nancy Riley.

Long contends the 2000 Christian Coalition Voter Guide falsely reports that he supported making sodomy and bestiality legal.

Legislative records show Long has at least twice voted against bills that would remove the anti-sodomy and anti-bestiality language from state laws.

The coalition won a similar suit last year that was filed by state Senator Dave Herbert.

The state Supreme Court said the voter guide was opinion, and that Herbert failed to prove actual malice. But, the court said its ruling did not mean a voter guide could never be defamatory.