Pro-civil union group grows war chest, zeroes in on targets

A network of donors bent on civil unions becoming a reality in 2013 took its first public step toward zeroing in on lawmakers they believe stood in the way of that dream earlier this year. Simultaneously, the group doubled its war chest since it formed a month ago, according to campaign finance reports.

Fight Back Colorado, an independent expenditure committee, reported donations of more than $43,000 to Colorado’s secretary of state. The report includes donations for the month of June. It had previously raised $55,000 from three donors before going public.

Fight Back’s only mission is to ensure a pro-equality General Assembly come 2013. To be clear, the organization’s intent is to dethrone Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, of his majority power by making sure Democrats have control of the House by at least one seat.

Democrats lost control of the House in 2010 after having the majority since 2004. Democrats are currently in the majority of the state Senate and the governor’s mansion.

McNulty told Out Front the Colorado Civil Union Act would continue to meet a similar fate — death — as long as he was in the speaker’s chair.

In an email this morning, Fight Back’s treasure Roger Sherman asked supporters to select three House Republicans they’d like to see booted from the gold dome. A short list was provided. Options include McNulty, Majority Leader Amy Stephens, Reps. Kevin Priola, Robert Ramirez and J. Paul Brown.

McNulty and Stephens most likely will not be directly targeted by Fight Back because their districts are Republican strong holds. However, multiple sources close to Fight Back and other progressive causes have singled out the latter.

Sherman told Out Front he expects Fight Back will announce who they plan to target by the end of the month.