Gay advocates see bloodbath for New York Dem 'no' voters

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Gay advocates see bloodbath for New York Dem 'no' voters



Elizabeth Benjamin

Monday, December 7th 2009, 4:00 AM
Gay advocates will push to replace freshman Sen. Joseph Addabbo.

Gay advocates are on the warpath after the state Senate killed same-sex marriage last week, and few Democratic senators who voted against the bill are safe from their wrath.

After spending more than $1 million to help the Democrats retake the chamber for the first time in decades, powerful gay activists and donors say they'll support challengers against anti-gay-marriage senators in 2010.

"It's going to be a bloodbath," one gay operative predicted. "We're going to use every single weapon in our quiver to take these people out. We either need to replace them or scare the hell out of them so they do the right thing."

Gay activists are considered some of the most effective fund-raisers in state Democratic political circles.

"The community is apoplectic ... and the commitment to building the Democratic majority is over," the operative added. "We won't make the same mistake twice."

That doesn't mean gay support will automatically be shifted to the Senate Republicans, who are mounting a campaign to take back the majority next fall.

The GOP failed to provide a single "yes" vote when the marriage bill was defeated, 38-24, last week.

But most of the rage is focused on the Democrats, particularly the eight senators who joined the GOP in voting "no." Of the eight, freshman Queens Sen. Joe Addabbo is target No. 1.

Also in the advocates' crosshairs: Sens. Shirley Huntley and George Onorato, both of Queens, and Sen. Bill Stachowski of Buffalo.

Huntley survived a primary challenge from former Councilman Allan Jennings last year. So far, no one has formally come forward to take her on in 2010.

Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gianaris and outgoing Councilman Eric Gioia have been mentioned as possible opponents to Onorato.

Sen. Darrel Aubertine, a conservative upstater, was never considered a possible "yes," and thus is safer than some of his fellow "no" voters. Ditto for Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, although advocates would like to recruit an opponent for him.

Gay advocates tried to get Councilman Lew Fidler to challenge Brooklyn Democrat Sen. Carl Kruger, who voted "no," but Fidler declined. Kruger would be tough to beat because he heads the powerful Senate Finance Committee and has $2 million in his campaign account .

Embattled Queens Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who faces possible expulsion by his colleagues for assaulting his girlfriend, was a surprise "no" vote.

He already has a primary challenger in Assemblyman Jose Peralta, who is backed by party leaders and has voted for gay marriage in the past.

- Real Estate Board of New York President Steven Spinola is putting his enrollment where his mouth is. Sources confirm the trade association head ditched the Democratic Party and signed up with the state Independence Party, which he is trying to build into a pro-business coalition to counter the powerful labor-backed Working Families Party.

State Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay said he's thrilled about his newest member and hopes Spinola will take on a leadership role.

"I'm hoping Steve will attract more like him," MacKay said.

ebenjamin@nydailynews.com

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