New Conservative Push for Marriage Equality

Billionaire Republican hedge fund manager Paul Singer, who founded American Unity PAC last year to support Republicans who back marriage equality, has launched a new lobbying organizaton called American Unity Fund. According to Associated Press' Big Story, American Unity Fund has already spent more than $250,000 in Minnesota, where the legislature is expected to vote on marriage equality next month.

The new PAC has spent $500,000 on lobbying since last month, reports Patrick Condon, backing efforts in Delaware, Indiana, Rhode Island, Utah, and West Virginia.Spokesman Jeff Cook-McCormac told AP that this lobbying is the next phase in the push for marriage equality in the U.S.

"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," Cook-McCormac said.

In Minnesota, Condon reports, the money has gone to state groups that are lobbying Republican lawmakers and for polling on same-sex marriage in a handful of suburban districts held by Republicans. While only one Minnesota's Republican legislators has committed to voting to legalize marriage equality (Sen. Branden Petersen), insiders expect there will be others who join him.

Read more about Republican lobbying, especially in Minnesota, visit Big Story.