NOM transfers $250,000 to Maine campaign against gay marriage

The National Organization for Marriage is pumping money into the campaign that opposes Maine’s November ballot question seeking to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Washington, D.C.-based group transferred $250,000 to the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, which is spearheading the campaign against the ballot initiative, said campaign manager Frank Schubert.

The National Organization for Marriage is a leading national anti-gay marriage group that has opposed same-sex initiatives in multiple states.

Schubert, whose efforts are funded by the organization, also is managing other campaigns in opposition to same-sex marriage in three other states: Maryland, Washington and Minnesota.

Schubert’s announcement came during a telephone conference call on Sept. 20 with the co-chairman of Protect Marriage Maine and other gay marriage opponents.

Opponents in Maine thus far have raised $100,000 to $200,000, Schubert said, while same-sex marriage supporters have said they expect to raise and spend $5 million or more.

Schubert said recent polling suggests that the race is close.

The Maine Legislature in 2009 legalized same-sex marriage, but voters later that year overturned the law 53 percent to 47 percent.

In Maryland and Washington, residents are voting in November on ballot questions to decide whether to put marriage equality laws into effect.

Voters in Minnesota are voting on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.