February 9th, 2010
 

365 Gay: News

Maine gay marriage supporters lead in funding


(Augusta, Maine) Supporters of Maine’s same-sex marriage law continued Friday to collect far more campaign contributions than their opponents in a referendum that’s being watched nationally.

NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality said in its campaign finance report to the state that it has raised $4 million in its campaign to keep Maine’s same-sex marriage law on the books. That compares to the $2.5 million raised by Stand for Marriage Maine, which forced the people’s veto vote through a petition drive.

Despite the fundraising advantage, NO on 1 was taking nothing for granted, said campaign manager Jesse Connolly.

“We know this is going to be a razor-thin election,” Connolly said.

NO on 1’s report to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices showed multiple pages of donations in the $50-$1,000 range, with exceptions from some individuals, including Donald Sussman of Portland at $300,000.

On the other side, the National Organization for Marriage was by far the biggest contributor to Stand for Marriage Maine’s political action committee, with $1.1 million during the latest reporting period. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland gave another $152,600.

Throughout the campaign, the Princeton, N.J.-based NOM has donated a total of $1.5 million while the diocese has kicked in $550,000, which includes money from out-of-state dioceses and individual donors.

Stand for Marriage Maine remained at a financial disadvantage to their opponents, but that was no cause for alarm, spokesman Scott Fish said.

“Our hope is that this … will close the gap. We are working hard to get our message out,” said Fish, adding that an intense fundraising push will continue in the days ahead.

George Smith, a State House lobbyist and commentator who has not taken sides on the issue, said a funding advantage like NO on 1’s “almost always guarantees a win.”

But Smith said a problem the repeal opponents still face is that the ballot, which includes two anti-tax questions and one to repeal a state school consolidation law, “is loaded with great issues for conservatives.” Smith believes turnout will be a key element in the off-year vote.

Political action committees were required to file their final campaign contribution reports with the campaign before the end of the day Friday.

Earlier reports showed NO on 1 had raised $2.7 million, compared to $1.1 million for Stand for marriage Maine.

With its Nov. 3 referendum, Maine is seen as a testing ground for gay-marriage laws around the country. Six states recognize gay marriage either by legislative action or court order, while 30 states have constitutionally banned it.


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  • Kari Said: October 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
    • Stand For Marriage Maine, somewhat ironically, claims that Protect Main Equality has amassed a massive warchest from out of state.

      This is ironic, because 70% of SMM’s own donations come from out of state, while only 52% of PME’s donations come from outside Maine.

      PME also has a huge fundraising advantage and SMM has proven pretty weak at communicating their message. The fact that Maine is one of the least religious states in the country (according to Gallup) is a serious problem because the religious angle has little currency there.

      Proposition 1 will fail next week and gay people in Maine will be able to marry.

  • Ginelle Said: October 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
    • If it is the money that it takes to win this thing, then it appears we are on the right road. It is really a sad state of affairs that in a democratic country with a Constitution that grants equal rights to all, there is still a mentality out there that insists the rights of the majority must trump the rights of the minority at whatever cost. If we are to win this time, it will certainly set a precedent, something that will surely blow up in the face of the California Proposition 8 pushers.

  • Sarrellec Said: October 26th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
    • Fascinating.
      Here I was taught in grade school that votes decided issues in the US.
      Are we currently telling children in school the truth?
      That MONEY BUYS LAWS.
      If the kids are paying any attention at all to the news–and I figure kids really don’t–then it’s apparent.
      What is the current debate about national health care in the US?
      It’s not about health care. It’s about health INSURANCE.
      It’s not about votes. It’s about money.
      The progressive media still talks about the Repugnicans which block national health care. They should be talking about the DemoRats who fully against the wishes of their constituents, are voting AGAINST national health care because the health insurance cartel is PAYING them to do so.
      Why bother with campaigns at all?
      Why bother polling voters?
      Instead of a Congress, why not just have an auction hall where laws are put on the block–highest bidder wins.
      Oh wait…that’s what we’re doing.

  • Jay Said: October 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
    • I am glad that over all we have outraised our opponents, but note that they have outraised us in the last three weeks. Mormon money, via National Organization for Marriage, is pouring into the state. We must continue to raise money, otherwise we will be overtaken in the last week as we were in California. Please do not be complacent. Donate what you can to the effort. We must have a great get out the vote operation or we will lose.

  • randy Said: October 26th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
    • If PME wants to win, it will need to get its voters to show up and vote.

      52% before the vote has an eerily predictable way of turning into 48% during the vote.

 
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