The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today said it would use a $500,000 war chest against any GOP lawmaker supporting marriage equality in Minnesota and spend in support of any Democrat who votes to protect "traditional marriage", according to its blog:
NOM's Minnesota state political fund was the largest contributor to the proposed Minnesota Marriage Amendment (giving over $2.2 million) and has helped defeat virtually every Republican who has supported gay marriage, including three Republican state Senators in New York in 2012…
"We urge Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature to vote their values, and not what their party bosses tell them," Brown said. "Standing for true marriage is the right thing to do for Minnesota families, and especially for children. The fact is that Minnesota children, and all children, have a right to expect laws that promote them being raised by a mother and father. We will support those legislators, Democrats and Republicans alike, who vote for Minnesota family values, just as we have done in other states. Marriage is not a partisan issue, and NOM does not hesitate to oppose weak Republicans and support strong Democrats."
Last week, Minnesota GOP state senator Branden Petersen said he would co-sponsor a marriage equality bill set to be introduced by Senator Scott Dibble.
Said Petersen: “At this point, I am concerned about doing the right thing. I have a certain amount of peace about that, and I will let the chips fall where they may.”
Writes NOM:
…"Republicans like Branden Petersen don't realize that not only is
voting to redefine marriage a terrible policy, it is also a
career-ending vote for a Republican," said Brian Brown. "NOM will do
everything in our power to defeat any Republican who votes in favor of
same-sex marriage. Legislators need look no further than what happened
to GOP Senators in New York. Four of them were responsible for passing
gay marriage. We helped take out three of those Senators by repeatedly
informing their constituents of their betrayal on marriage. They are now
out of office. We will not hesitate to do the same thing in Minnesota."
UPDATE: Petersen says he won't be swayed by NOM.
"Regardless of the amount, whether it's $500,000 or $50 million, my vote is not going to bought either way. I'm going to do what's right," Petersen said. "If they want to throw away $500,000 then that's their decision."