ALBANY, NY – Last week, the four Republican New York state senators who provided enough votes to pass New York’s same-sex marriage bill, got a financial boost from donors such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who promised the four lawmakers, “stand with us now, and we will stand with you later.” Other wealthy financiers who support both gay rights and Republican causes offered additional campaign funding for the four senators’ reelection bids.
According to the New York Times, a planned fundraiser is expected to raise $1.25 million in campaign funds—money that will be spread among the four senators: Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo, James S. Alesi of Rochester, Stephen M. Saland of Poughkeepsie and Roy J. McDonald of Saratoga County. In the first six months, state senators averaged about $103,000 each in fundraising capital, according to the New York Public Interest Research Group.
The senators have come under heavy criticism from conservatives since they cast their votes in June. A national group that opposes same-sex marriage has purchased billboards in each of their districts, vowing to unseat the lawmakers, and the senators have been eagerly raising money in an effort to defend themselves against possible challengers.
According to a Bloomberg spokesperson, the mayor made it very clear early on that he would be a vocal supporter to those senators who stood up and did the right thing in light of a tough political climate.
