Former U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon has been sued for nearly $85,000 in unpaid bills from his failed 2008 re-election campaigns.

Letter 23 filed the lawsuit against Cannon on Thursday.

Cannon was defeated in a Republican primary by Jason Chaffetz after squeaking through the state convention.

The lawsuit contends that at the 2008 convention and at the 2006 convention, Letter 23, formerly W Communications, provided tens of thousands of dollars' worth of campaign and promotional material.

Cannon acknowledges the company is owed money but said it's difficult to raise money now that he is out of office.

It is the second lawsuit filed against Cannon stemming from outstanding campaign debt. Moore Information, a Portland, Ore., polling firm, also has sued Cannon.

— Associated Press