Mega - donations from rich donors in California and a handful of other states have ballooned the campaign fund for the effort to stop Proposition 8, with more than $3 million pledged since July.
No on 8 consultant Steve Smith predicted in a press statement that the campaign will "more than match" the $10 million to $15 million that the Yes on 8 effort intends to raise.
The No on 8 campaign also claimed the support of labor unions, PG&E and small individual donors from California and other states. Contributions to No on 8 were on average larger than those in support of the marriage amendment, and a larger share of the total came from donors outside California, an analysis of campaign finance records up to June 30 shows.
An Aug. 2 dinner in Beverly Hills sponsored by Equality California raised more than $1 million for No on 8, much of it from businesses and unions, the San Francisco - based organization reported. The previous week, the Washington, D.C. - based Human Rights Campaign gave more than $1 million to the No on 8 effort after a fundraising dinner in San Francisco.
"This is what we can expect," said Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage California, a supporter of the Protect Marriage coalition sponsoring Prop 8. "Everything is going to be coming from all around the country into the fight."
Yes on 8 spokeswoman Jennifer Kerns did not respond to requests for comment.
The surge in funding to fight Prop 8 comes at a time when the Catholic bishops of California are strongly encouraging Catholics to support the measure financially and through volunteer work. ( See statement, page 3. )
The Yes on 8 campaign maintains that it is in a strong position to win in November, noting that the latest Field Poll showed a gain in support and a drop in opposition to the measure.
Prop 8 asks voters to overturn the California Supreme Court's 5 - to - 4 decision in May giving same - sex couples the right to designate their unions as marriage. Supporters maintain that a majority of Californians opposes such a right and that the public will should prevail over a judicial interpretation. The court struck down Proposition 22, which 61 percent of California voters passed in 2000.
The latest supporters of the No on 8 effort include Word Perfect software inventor Bruce Bastian of Orem, Utah, who has pledged $1 million.
Cleveland businessman David Maltz made two contributions in July totaling $750,000, and Beverly Hills tech mogul David Bohnett made three totaling $700,000.
Contributions to committees that oppose the amendment seeking to ban same - sex marriage as unconstitutional have come from nine states and the District of Columbia. The No on 8 campaign has committees raising money in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Top contributors to the Yes on 8 campaign include two evangelical Christian organizations from outside California: the American Family Association of Tupelo, Miss. ( $500,000 ) and Focus on the Family of Colorado Springs ( more than $400,000 ) . Previously the national and state organizations of the Knights of Columbus contributed $275,000 to help the campaign gather enough names to qualify the measure for the ballot.
A number of wealthy California organizations and individuals, largely from Orange and San Diego counties, have contributed as well: Fieldstead and Co. of Irvine ( $400,000 ) , family members associated with Caster Family Enterprises of El Cajon ( more than $200,000 ) , Manchester Financial Group of San Diego ( $125,000 ) and William Bolthouse of Avila Beach ( $100,000 ) .
Protect Marriage listed $2.6 million in contributions in 2008 through June 30, with another $700,000 in July. The donations have come California and more than 30 other states.
Brown said he expects the No on 8 campaign to spend its money on television ads. He said theYes on 8 campaign plans to meet the challenge with a united front among faith groups.
"I think you are going to see a unity you might not have seen before with Catholics, Mormons, evangelicals, people of all faiths getting materials in their churches and being active," he said.
