Pennsylvania state Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Hollidaysburg, sponsored a constitutional amendment in May that would protect marriage from redefinition.
In response, activists set up Keystone Progress, an entity dedicated to "progressive" politics in the state, but specializing in bringing down the Republican freshman. The group has ties to Tim Gill and others who have set up similar organizations in other states.
The tactic, according to Eichelberger, is designed to send a message to other lawmakers.
"They're going to be afraid to come forward, they're going to be afraid to sign on as co-sponsors," he explained. "They're going to be afraid to make that vote."
Eichelberger said legislators need to know the people of Pennsylvania support marriage.
"I can't afford to back down because we'll lose the issue," he said. "We have to make sure that anybody who's willing to step out on this issue knows that they're going to have the support of the folks back home."
To date, tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on the effort to discredit Eichelberger. Most of the money is coming from Gill-associated groups in California and Colorado.
Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, said the campaign is unprecedented for that state.
"What we're seeing here in Pennsylvania, for the first time really, is a massive effort by proponents of same-sex marriage," he said. "They're spending lots of money to not only promote that idea in the state, but to specifically go after Senator Eichelberger and anyone else who supports keeping marriage one man and one woman."
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