Mayor Bloomberg to engage Senate Republicans in gay marriage fight

BY Adam Lisberg and Kenneth Lovett -

Mayor Bloomberg may change a few Republican minds: He's been the Senate GOP's largest financial benefactor.

Mayor Bloomberg is vowing to push state Senate Republicans to support gay marriage.
"If there's a chance to pass a bill, I will do it," Bloomberg said. "I'll go lobby."
A 2009 vote to legalize gay marriage failed when eight Democrats and every Republican voted against it - though Gov. Cuomo has recently renewed efforts to legalize gay nuptials.
Bloomberg may have the juice to change a few Republican minds: He's been the Senate GOP's largest financial benefactor.
Insiders say they are relying on Cuomo, a Democrat, to do the heavy lifting among Republicans.
The hope is Cuomo can get one GOPer to speak in favor of gay marriage to help break the logjam - and build momentum.
Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and Sen. Thomas Duane, the Senate's only openly gay senator, are lobbying three Democrats who voted against gay weddings in 2009 - but are considered "in play" this time around.
The on-the-fence Democrats are embattled Sen. Carl Kruger (Brooklyn), Sen. Joseph Addabbo (Queens) and Sen. Shirley Huntley (Queens).
At least three Republicans would also be needed.
The Assembly has passed a gay marriage bill twice in previous years.

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