State Senator Mark Grisanti is denying that there was a a campaign cash promise from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his same-sex marriage vote.
Grisanti appeared at his office in downtown Buffalo Monday to answer reporters questions.
"It had nothing to do with politics, had nothing to do with gaining or losing any party lines. It had nothing to do with any sort of cash contributions," said Grisanti.
Senator Grisanti responding to questions by local reporters Monday about a New York City fundraiser hosted by Mayor Bloomberg last week. Grisanti claims Bloomberg never made any promises about campaign fund raising in exchange for a yes vote on thee same sex marriage bill.
"He said (Bloomberg) I'm going to be brief. I know some of you are struggling with this bill. I know it's important to people in Manhattan and he mentioned people in his district, and he said to have equality all across New York State. And he said those who vote for it, would be very supportive. You could take that to mean a lot of things. it could mean money it could mean standing by you a lot of things but to me money wasn't an issue," said Grisanti.
Pressure has been mounting Grisanti's re-election bid by the Conservative National Organization for Marriage. The organization posted Gristanti "You're Next" billboards .
"First of all I don't know what that means, second of all it's down by an organization basically based out of Utah that pays no taxes to New York State," said Grisanti.
Most recently the national organization for Marriage launched an online ad called "Money Dance" in response to a Bloomberg-held fundraiser. Grisanti is one of four senator targeted. Between $1 million to $1.2 million was raise at the fundraiser. But Grisanti says he has no idea how much he will receive.
Meanwhile, Grisanti remains a registered republican. He did consider switching to the democratic party -- but in the end Grisanti opted not to change his party affiliation.
