The National Organization for Marriage, part of a broad coalition of religious and conservative groups opposed to Washington state's same-sex marriage legislation, said Wednesday it will spend $250,000 to help defeat any Republican lawmakers who vote in favor of the bill.

NOM, based in Washington, D.C., said it was effective in ending the careers of Republicans who supported gay marriage in other states.

The group also said it will work to ensure Washington residents have a chance to vote on the same-sex marriage legislation in November.

"We intend to hold every legislator accountable for his or her vote on marriage," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "Any Republican who votes to redefine marriage can count on funding of a primary challenge to them. All legislators need to know that the same-sex marriage lobby wants to destroy the institution of marriage, redefining not just marriage, but also 'husband,' 'wife,' 'mother,' and 'father.'"

No sooner had NOM issued its news release Wednesday than Freedom to Marry, a national pro-same-sex marriage organization, issued a statement calling NOM's claim "all bark and no bite."

Freedom to Marry called the four Republican state lawmakers who've announced their support for same-sex marriage -- two senators and two House members --heroes and pointed out that New York senators who voted in favor of same-sex marriage in that state last year were generously rewarded with campaign contributions.

"Those of us who support marriage have demonstrated time and again that we'll be loyal to elected officials who make the politically smart and morally correct choice in extending the freedom to marry to gay couples," said Thalia Zepatos, director of public engagement at Freedom to Marry.

"As NOM travels the country making empty threats, their presence continues to be unwanted by citizens and irrelevant to politicians," Zepatos said.