This morning I reported that some folks were hopeful because New York Republican Senator James Alesi, who was a (reportedly agonized) "no" vote on marriage equality legislation last time it was introduced, had attended a Rochester benefit for LGBT rights group Empire State Pride Agenda.
Well, Alesi apparently doesn't want to create too much expectation, explaining to Politics on the Hudson that people shouldn't read anything into his presence there:
“These are all my constituents and there is absolutely no way anyone can create a barricade for me when it comes to my constituents,” Alesi said outside the Senate chambers today. “It's me doing my job.”
Alesi has been heavily lobbied by both sides of the issue, and confirmed that he was contacted by phone recently by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is advocating for the measure's adoption. But Alesi said his talk with Cuomo was brief, saying he asked the governor for a face-to-face meeting.
Alesi remains undeclared on where he'll vote this time around.
