Eagle Forum board members sue to oust Schlafly confidant

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- A majority of board members of Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum has filed an Illinois lawsuit over its efforts to oust a former Missouri Republican Party chairman from the conservative political organization.

The Madison County lawsuit follows a vote earlier this month by six of the organization's 11 board members to fire Eagle Forum president Ed Martin. The organization is based in Alton.

Martin and Schlafly have said the board's attempted ouster was retaliation for her support of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Several members of the board majority, including Schlafly's daughter, have vigorously denied that characterization.

The civil lawsuit also names John Schlafly, son of the 91-year-old founder and the organization's treasurer, as a defendant.

Martin said a judge didn't rule on the complaint at a Tuesday hearing.