Gala boosts foes of Proposition 8

After raising nearly $4 million at a gala hosted Tuesday by billionaire Ron Burkle, foes of an initiative to ban same-sex marriage have significantly increased their television advertising, prompting the measure’s backers to scramble for more money.

Spending on Proposition 8 is fast approaching $60 million, making it by far the most costly ballot measure anywhere in the country this year.

Backers of the constitutional amendment said they have been outspent this week by more than $2.6 million on television and radio, although they have raised more money than the opposition during most of the campaign. As of Thursday, Yes on 8 campaign committees had reported raising $27.5 million while the No on 8 committees had reported raising $26.9 million.

Frank Schubert, chief strategist for the supporters of Proposition 8, said he spoke with big donors all day pleading for money. He sent small donors an unusually urgent e-mail pitch, which opened: “The institution of marriage is in cardiac arrest in California and I am pleading with you to help save it.”

-- Dan Morain