A nonpartisan candidate for the U.S. Senate is suing Hawaii television stations KHNL and KGMB for not allowing her to appear in a televised debate.

Joy Allison of Waikoloa filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Friday.

The lawsuit alleges the television stations collectively known as Hawaii News Now wouldn’t put Allison on the air because she hadn’t raised enough money for her campaign.

The lawsuit seeks $8 million in damages, claiming the stations discriminated against Allison. The complaint asks the court to impose penalties and revoke licenses.

Hawaii News Now news director Mark Platte says he hasn’t seen the lawsuit. He says he will need to review it before commenting.

Allison’s campaign manager Craig Farrar says the station is saying you if you’re not rich, you can’t run.