N.Y. Senator Why I Voted No on Marriage

New York state senator Joseph Addabbo, one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill that failed by a shocking 24-38 margin on Wednesday, appeared on TheBrian Lehrer Show on WNYC on Friday to explain his "no" vote.

Addabbo, who narrowly defeated a Republican incumbent to win his Queens seat in 2008, came under fire immediately after the vote on Wednesday as one of the Democrats suspected of having "betrayed" advocates including Sen. Tom Duane, the gay man sponsoring the bill.

State campaign finance records indicate that in 2008, Addaboo received $9,500, the maximum allowable contribution, from gay philanthropist Tim Gill, the backer of the Gill Action Fund. The contribution was part of the wave of support, ultimately totaling close to $1 million, that helped flip the senate to Democratic control and install candidates who pledged to uphold pro-LGBT positions, including support for marriage equality.

On Friday, Addabbo defended himself by saying that he had never promised to vote "yes" on the bill and that he wanted to keep his options open in order to gauge the sentiments of his constituents.

"At no point did I ever say 'yes,'" said Addabbo. "I proposed I would keep an open mind."

"It was my intention to keep an open mind and by doing so, I felt that I would get a clear indication of where my district stands on this issue," said Addabbo, who said that he received more than 400 communications from constituents, 74% of whom opposed marriage equality.

Pressed on whether he would also allow 74% of constituents to influence a vote on something absurd, such as a hypothetical proposal to deport all the Hispanics in the district, Addabbo said, "It's apples and oranges."

Addabbo acknowledged that he received financial support from gay rights advocates in his election bid, but he insisted that he never promised anyone that he would vote "yes." He also criticized the process by which his conference deliberated the bill.

He declined to disclose his personal position on marriage equality.

Listen to the exchange below: