New York's Empire State Pride Agenda is taking polling data straight to Republican senators who could make the difference in passage of the state's same-sex marriage legislation, according to NYDN reporter Elizabeth Benjamin:
"Over the past several months, the group commissioned polls from Boston-based Kiley & Co. in the districts of at least 10 GOP state senators.
The group plans to use the results to convince reluctant state lawmakers that voting 'yes' on gay marriage is not political suicide.
The polling from four Long Island districts obtained by the Daily News shows voters support granting the right to marry to same-sex couples, 52-42%.
Support is strongest among women, voters younger than 30 and independents – a key constituency that can make or break tight races.
Long Island is expected to again be a battleground in the 2010 fight for control of the state Senate, in which Republicans will try to regain the majority and Democrats hope to grow their slim, two-seat grip on the chamber.
The four Republican Long Island senators targeted in the agenda's polls were: Ken LaValle, Kemp Hannon, Charles Fuschillo and John Flanagan."
An ad from consulting firm Knickerbocker SKD on marriage equality is also forthcoming.
The marriage equality bill is expected to be brought to a vote in the Assembly next week, and is expected to pass as it did last time it was brought up.
