HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The party Sen. Joe Lieberman created to mount his independent re-election campaign has been seized by one of his critics, and the secretary of state’s office said Wednesday that it won’t challenge the takeover.

After the senator’s Nov. 7 victory under the Connecticut for Lieberman Party banner, John Orman switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Connecticut for Lieberman and voted himself chairman.

Orman, a political science professor who ran briefly against Lieberman last year, said only critics, bloggers and anyone named Lieberman can join the party, which he said would be a watchdog of the senator’s actions.

Ted Bromley, a lawyer for the secretary of the state’s office, said it won’t take a stance on the legitimacy of Orman’s leadership. He said the issue could be settled by a judge, but only if it’s challenged in court.

Lieberman campaign manager Sherry Brown did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Wednesday.

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