On Wednesday, Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli took the first step in initiating a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), his opponent for New Jersey governor.

Ciattarelli’s lawyer wrote a letter, obtained by the Washington Examiner, to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission asking for confirmation on whether “expenditures made in his personal capacity to sue Sherrill in her personal capacity do not constitute a contribution to his campaign or an expenditure against the expenditure cap.” The letter stated Ciattarelli believes any of his personal funds spent on the possible lawsuit do neither and asked NJ ELEC for an “advisory opinion” on the matter.