PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The newly named manager of a campaign seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine said he expects the campaign to spend more than $5 million ahead of November’s election.

The Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition announced Tuesday it has created a political action committee called Mainers United for Marriage to spearhead the campaign in favor of a referendum asking voters if they favor legalizing gay marriage.

Matt McTighe, who was named campaign manager, expects supporters will have to raise at least $5 million. Gay marriage advocates spent about $5 million in 2009, when residents rejected a statewide gay marriage referendum, he said.

McTighe said the campaign will focus on talking to Mainers one-on-one, in person and by phone, to make the case that gay marriage is about giving “loving, committed couples” the right to marry, just like heterosexual couples.

McTighe, 32, has been public education director in Maine for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders the past two years. He previously worked for the Human Rights Campaign and MassEquality.