The group People for Rhode Island's
Future is working to elect a pro-gay marriage majority to the Rhode
Island General Assembly.
The nascent group has the backing of
millionaire philanthropist Tim Gill, who on Sunday gave $20,000 to
the group. Another $15,000 came from Esmond Harmsworth, a founding
partner of Boston-based literary agency Zachary Shuster Harmsworth
Literary Agency and owner of the Four Winds estate.
People for Rhode Island's Future is
targeting for ouster 5 current state senators opposed to gay marriage
– Frank Lombardi, Marc Cote, Michael McCaffrey and Dan DaPonte –
and supporting the re-election of Rep. Roberto DaSilva, Newsport's
WPRI
reported. All six elected officials are democrats.
The group is also supporting five
additional pro-gay marriage candidates, and opposing one other who is
opposed to marriage equality.
Gill, who is gay and lives in Denver
with his husband Scott Miller, has also contributed $25,000 to Fight
Back Colorado, the super
PAC targeting Colorado lawmakers opposed to civil unions.
Last year, Rhode Island lawmakers
approved civil unions for gay and lesbian couples after support in
the Senate for a bill legalizing gay marriage appeared to be lacking
sufficient support.
Rhode Island holds its General Assembly
primaries on September 11.