Not everyone in the oil industry is a bigot. In the last two weeks, Dallas philanthropist and oil investor Lee Fikes has made two separate contributions of $5,000 to a group opposing Proposition 8, the California marriage ban. The $10,000 total makes Fikes, president of Bonanza Oil Co., the second leading individual contributor from Texas to groups opposing the ban. Austin investor William Edwards has contributed $15,000. Here’s the latest info from the Associated Press on the Prop 8 fundraising battle:
The battle over gay marriage in California has turned into one of the most expensive social issue campaigns in U.S. history. Campaign finance records show the money spent for and against Proposition 8 — the ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California — has surpassed $73 million. That’s almost twice the total that was spent in the 24 states where similar measures were put to voters since 2004. As of yesterday, opponents of Proposition 8 had a slight lead in contributions, with nearly $38 million raised. Supporters of the gay marriage ban had raised nearly $36 million.
