NY State Sen. Alesi’s coffers grow with support of gay marriage
State Sen. James Alesi, the first Republican in his chamber to voice his support for gay marriage, raised more than four times as much money in the last six months as he did during a comparable period two years ago, boosted by gay marriage supporters from around the country.
I feel compelled to publicize the rays of hope in the current overcast political environment. Alesi had previously promised to back marriage equality, but backed out during the vote on the floor in the past legislative period. Last year he manned up and voted his conscience, followed by the usual drumbeat of conservative threats.
Now it turns out that a great many people in this country, including Republicans, have a much more finely calibrated moral compass than I thought.
“I’m a good Republican,” he said. “I make no apologies for being a moderate Republican, but this is New York state.”
Alesi estimated that 60 percent of contributions he received in the last year came from people who support his gay marriage vote.
Amusingly, Alesi has not previously been known as particularly moderate. But I suppose he will reinvent himself and politically move towards his support.