New members of Republicans United for Marriage include some prominent Maine Republicans, including former Maine gubernatorial candidate Steve Abbott.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Same-sex marriage advocates say more Republicans are lining up in support of their cause.

New members of Republicans United for Marriage include former gubernatorial candidate Steve Abbott, who is now University of Maine athletic director, Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and former state Rep. Kenneth Lindell of Frankfort.

The issue of gay marriage, which Maine voters will decide on Nov. 6, marks a dividing line between Democratic and Republican parties. In their statement of party principles, Democrats support gay marriage, while the Republican platform adopted this spring expresses belief in one man-one woman marriage.

Republican state Rep. Stacey Fitts of Pittsfield appears in TV ads in which he says he voted against gay marriage in the 2009 but will vote for it this time.