A political action committee funded by wealthy hedge fund managers and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee has already poured nearly $250,000 into an effort aimed at supporting Republican candidates who support same-sex marriage.

Filings with the state Board of Elections show the New York Unity PAC already has $175,000 in its coffers from August, thanks to a $150,000 donation from billionaire Paul Singer, whose son is gay, and a $25,000 check from Ken Mehlman, the former GOP chairman during the Bush II administration.

Daniel Loeb, one of the hedge-fund managers who Gov. Andrew Cuomo courted to help fund a successful media campaign backing the approval of gay marriage in New York last year, gave $74,000 on Monday, according to the 24-hour filing with the board.

A federal version, American Unity PAC, was formed as a so-called “super PAC” to help GOP candidates who pledge support for marriage rights for gay couples.

The money comes to New York as three Republican state senators who crossed party lines in 2011 and supported the measure, face re-election and primary challenges on Thursday: Sens. Mark Grisanti, Stephen Saland and Roy McDonald.

Share|