A national group of prominent GOP
donors is increasing its lobbying efforts in support of gay marriage.
American Unity PAC launched last year
with an initial $1 million donation from hedge fund manager Paul
Singer. The Super PAC's mission is to encourage Republican
candidates to support marriage equality by lending financial support.
Its new lobbying organization, American
Unity Fund, has already spent more than $250,000 in Minnesota, where
a marriage bill has cleared House and Senate panels and awaits floor
action in both chambers.
The group has spend $500,000 on
lobbying since last month in Rhode Island, Delaware, Indiana, West
Virginia and Utah, the AP reported.
“What you have is this network of
influential Republicans who really want to see the party embrace the
freedom to marry, and believe it's not only the right thing for the
country but also good politics,” spokesman Jeff Cook-McCormac said.
Singer, who is straight but has a gay
son who married his husband in Massachusetts, the first state to
legalize gay nuptials, is considered among the most important
Republican donors nationwide. He has given nearly $10 million of his
own money toward efforts to legalize such unions in New York, New
Hampshire and New Jersey.