New York GOPer who backed gay marriage loses seat

Two other Republicans managed to hang on

Published September 26, 2012 4:42PM (EDT)

The Marriage Equality Act vote, in the capital building in Albany, New York, in July, 2011.       (Wikipedia/Celebration Chapel)
The Marriage Equality Act vote, in the capital building in Albany, New York, in July, 2011. (Wikipedia/Celebration Chapel)

The latest count of primary votes makes it likely that New York state Sen. Roy McDonald will lose his seat, making him the only one of four Republicans to be ousted after voting in favor of the state's gay marriage law.

One of the four did not seek reelection, while the other two, Stephen Saland and Mark Grisanti, managed to hang on.

Reuters reports that the votes in McDonald's race have not yet been certified, but after the absentee ballots were counted, it appeared that he lost by 110 votes to his opponent Kathy Marchione.

The three Republicans had been targeted by groups like the National Organization for Marriage for breaking with the party and voting for gay marriage last year, votes that were key to passing the law.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2012 Elections Andrew Cuomo Gay Marriage Michael Bloomberg New York Republicans