Bloomberg lobbies for N.Y. gay marriage

ALBANY, N.Y., May 18 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, lobbying hard for same-sex marriage, says he will support any Republican state senator who votes for it.

Visiting the statehouse in Albany for six hours on Tuesday, he urged senators to get on "the right side of history," The New York Times reported.

The multi-billionaire mayor has been among the largest campaign donors to state Senate Republicans. His push came as gay advocates push to win over the few Republican votes needed to pass same-sex marriage before the summer recess. The Democratic-led Assembly has backed the measure for years.

"The longer the Senate obstructs marriage equality, the heavier the price they will pay not only in the history books, but at the polls," Bloomberg warned.

No Republicans were immediately swayed, however.

"I suppose I might be a yes one day," said Andrew Lanza of Staten Island. "But right now I am not."

Jack Martins said he would listen to people in his Long Island district and "vote in line with my constituency."

Bloomberg also met with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who supports same-sex marriage, and Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who opposes it.