FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2009
CONTACT: Elizabeth Ray (x130) or
Mary Beth Hutchins (x105) at 703-683-5004
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE ANNOUNCES NOM PAC NEW YORK:
"The first $500,000 raised will be used to fund a primary challenger to any GOP state senator in New York who votes for gay marriage."
Brian Brown, NOM Executive Director
(Albany, NY) - On the heels of the chaos in Albany which has thrown the future of marriage into doubt, the National Organization for Marriage (http://www.nationformarriage.org/) announced today the formation of a state political action committee, NOM PAC New York, which will allow NOM to engage in New York state legislative races.
"Gay marriage is not high on the list of any voters' priorities, but again and again we've seen politicians respond to political money thrown around by Tim Gill and his friends and ignore the wishes of their own constituents," said Brian Brown, executive director of NOM. "We're forming NOM PAC New York as a vehicle for swelling the voices of the thousands of New Yorkers who have called up their legislators and told them: Don't mess with marriage in New York."
In the last month, as the news broke that the state senate might soon be voting for gay marriage, NOM entered the state battle with a $600,000 media and voter outreach campaign working in 25 state senate districts.
"We are now in direct contact with thousands of New Yorkers in every senate district who care about the marriage issue," said Brown, "and they have a warning for Albany: Vote our values or we'll find someone who else who will."
Brown announced an initial target goal of $500,000 to fund primary challenges for any Republican state senator who votes for gay marriage.
"The first half million dollars will be used in GOP primaries," noted Brown, "but we are also looking to aid Democratic candidates who want to buck the establishment on the marriage issue, and to help in general election contests."
Since its inception in July 2007, the NOM has raised more than $6 million in its efforts to defend marriage, including $1.8 million for the Prop 8 battle in California through its NOM California branch.
To speak with Brian Brown, contact Elizabeth Ray ext. 130, eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Mary Beth Hutchins ext. 105, mhutchins@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.
|
