COLUMBUS, Ind. (WRTV) A tightly contested primary race is now at the center of a petition for a special election and defamation lawsuit.Incumbent Leah Beyer won the Republican nomination for the Bartholomew County Council Distr ict 2 seat in the May primary, beating challenger Mark Bense by just seven votes.Since the primary, Bense has made sweeping, unsubstantiated claims of a coordinated effort to prevent him from winning the election. Hes launched a series of legal actions, including a civil lawsuit against Beyer and her husband over a comment in a community Facebook group.When I believe someone has crossed the line or violated the law, I will use every lawful avenue available to seek accountability, including legal action," Bense told Indianas I-Team in a text message. I am not looking for revenge. I am looking for accountability, fairness, and justice.A judge rejected Benses initial petition for a recount, filed My 18, due to improper paperwork.On June 30, Bense filed a petition for a new or special election to determine the Republican candidate for the November general election. Three judges recused themselves from the case before Special Judge Kenneth Bass assumed jurisdiction on July 28.Bense has issued 13 subpoenas in his attempt for a special election. The 13 recipients include county officials, the judge who threw out Benses original petition, and Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales.Beyer claims this latest petition was also improperly filed. Shes filed a motion to dismiss the case and recoup attorney fees. Bense is working on his own behalf, without the assistance of an attorney.The defamation lawsuit filed by Bense on August 5 concerns an anonymous comment left in a Facebook community group.According to an exhibit in the lawsuit, Anonymous participant 142 wrote Beating the crap out of your dad wasnt enough you (now) have to bring another lawsuit against him? The comment included a screenshot from MyCase, Indianas online court portal, of a civil case Bense filed against his father in July.Bense said the group moderator informed him Anonymous participant 142 was Leah Beyers husband, Matthew.The lawsuit claims the Facebook comment caused Bense damage to his reputation, embarrassment, emotional distress, and other damages to be proven at trial.When Indianas I-Team asked Leah Beyer whether she or her husband made the comment, she declined to answer, citing the advice of legal counsel.I have Mark blocked on Facebook due to him sending unwanted messages to me, so I cant see any of the posts or comments in question as they are on a post he made, Beyer said in an email.A hearing on Beyers request to dismiss the petition for a special election is scheduled September 18. ...read more read less