AP reporters in Olympia say their own state senate vote count shows support for gay marriage legislation. [pullquote]Publicola's own reporting found only two "hard Nos" among the 27 member Democratic majority.[/pullquote]

In contacts with all 49 senators over the past week, The Associated Press found that more lawmakers are now firmly supporting gay marriage than opposing it. That margin currently stands at 21-18, and the measure needs 25 votes to pass the Senate.

Five other Democrats say they are considering whether to support it, including two who are leaning in favor. A pair of Republicans are among those supporting the proposal, and two first-term members of the GOP say they are still discussing the issue with constituents.

And even though a handful of socially conservative Democratic senators such as Sens. Jim Hargrove, Brian Hatfield, Mary Margaret Haugen, Jim Kastama (who's running for secretary of state), Tim Sheldon, and Paull Shin, are rumored to be against the legislation, Publicola's own reporting found only two "hard Nos" among the 27 member Democratic  senate majority.

The liberal house is expected to pass the gay marriage legislation, which will have its first public hearing on the bill on January 23, without much opposition.