#john helmberger

[minnesotamarriageamendment]

On Wednesday, Minnesota for Marriage officially conceded defeat and published this letter acknowledging the fact. [Read the letter]

[minnesotamarriageamendment]

We are confident that as we continue our final outreach effort, the voices of the majority of Minnesotans will speak louder at the polls than the amount of money wasted in a futile attempt to convince people that men and women are interchangeable, and the Marriage Amendment will pass on November 6th.

John Helmberger, Chairman, Minnesota for Marriage Source: MinnPost.com

Helmberger is quoted in an article about fundraising efforts by Minnesota for Marriage, the group that supports the mean-spirited amendment.

Minnesota for Marriage has raised nearly $1.2 million dollars so far in 2012, compared to $5.96 million raised by Minnesotans United for All Families. Helmberger had this to say about the fundraising disparity:

We’ve never been surprised by the amount of money wealthy same-sex ‘marriage’ activists are willing to pour into their attempt to change the minds of Minnesotans on the definition of marriage. In fact, we predicted over a year ago that we would be outspent 3 or 4 to 1. 

Interesting that he chose to call out the "amount of money wasted" considering his side put this thing on the ballot in the first place! Oh the irony.

[minnesotamarriageamendment]

Financial figures for January 1-July 10 were released last week. Those who oppose amending the state constitution to limit rights of some and define something that is already law in Minnesota, are out raising the other side nearly 4 to 1. Minnesotans United for All Families has now raised just under $5.4 million, whereas Minnesota for Marriage has raised nearly $1.5 million.

However, Minnesota for Marriage Chairman, John, Helmberger, is not at all worried that the amendment will be defeated: 

Various studies elsewhere have shown that for all the millions spent in marriage amendment campaigns, there aren’t a lot of minds that are changed

While people who are staunch believers on either side may not change their mind, there is a contingent who still have not made up their minds. According to University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs, that number might be as high as 20% of voters.

While that persuadable middle is critical, getting folks out to vote is just as important. Helmberger is right when he shares that other states have seen similar fundraising and have still passed this thing. Raising the funds to defeat this mean-spirited amendment isn't enough. We must continue to tell our personal stories and we must continue to encourage our friends, family and co-workers to get out and vote NO. This is the key to success in Minnesota. This is our key to being the first state to defeat this amendment!

[minnesotamarriageamendment]

...although we have always expected that [amendment opponents] will outspend us, as marriage protection opponents have in every other state dealing with this issue, we are confident that the people of Minnesota will come together to raise the resources necessary to win and not let our state's definition of marriage be defined by activist judges or liberal out of state organizations. We don't have to match our opponents spending; we only need to mobilize people who believe marriage should be protected. We have the people of Minnesota on our side, and we remain confident of victory.

John Helmberger, Minnesota for Marriage Chairman Source: MPR 

Helmberger speaks out in response to the fact that Minnesotans United for All Families raised $4.3 million versus the $1.4 million raised by Minnesota for Marriage.

The thing that is so very important to note about his statement: Helmberger calls out the fact that amendment opponents have outspent "marriage protection" groups in every single state, yet this measure has still passed every single time it has come up for vote. To those who think that we're going to vote this down because we've raised more money, let Mr. Helmberger's cocky response, and confidence in victory, be a quick reality check.

We need to do more than raise money. We must have the conversations (sometimes tough ones) about why this amendment must be defeated. And we need to start now. Help me send Mr. Helmberger a clear message: We won't stand for discrimination and inequality in Minnesota. It's not who we are.

[minnesotamarriageamendment]

About a month ago, I posted about questions that surfaced around donations from pro-amendment backers. There were several claims that false reports were filed and that actual donors' names were not disclosed which violates the law. Minnesota for Marriage listed only seven donors, which accounted for a little over $2,000 of the $830,000 they raised last year.

Minnesota Family Council CEO and Chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, John Helmberger, responded:

Let me state emphatically: even though new campaign finance regulations exceed the requirements of the law and violate our Constitutional rights, I have followed them to a "T."

Interesting how Helmberger is so concerned about his own constitutional rights... Here's hoping investigators find out the truth; if people are going to donate to this mean-spirited amendment, the public deserves to know who they are.

Note: Here's another take on this story from Think Progress.