November 17, 2007 -- Danielle Brinz, a 25- year-old teacher from Howard Beach, says she is much likelier to vote for a candidate who supports gay marriage than for one who doesn't.
"I think you should allow people to live how they want to live," Brinz said.
She is represented by Sen. Serphin Maltese, a Republican who not only opposes gay marriage but is also the prime sponsor of a "defense of marriage" bill to keep gay marriage illegal.
Preparing to serve his 20th year, Maltese represents a district that is 2.5-to-1 Democrat over Republican. After a surprisingly close victory against a little-known candidate last year, Maltese is seen as vulnerable by Senate Democrats looking to recapture the house's majority, and gay marriage could play a role in his re-election contest.
