ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The group pushing a state Capitol vote to legalize gay marriage says a bill to do so currently lacks the votes to pass.

The admission came in a fundraising pitch Thursday by Jake Loesch, the communications director for Minnesotans United. The group is planning a push later in the session to allow same-sex couples to marry under Minnesota law.

Loesch wouldn’t reveal an exact vote count. He says Minnesotans United is “close” but still has work to do. Seven lobbyists for the group recently registered with the state.

The gay marriage debate is not likely to gear up at the Capitol until later in the session.

Opponents of gay marriage say last November’s statewide defeat of a constitutional ban on gay marriage doesn’t necessarily mean a majority of Minnesotans support legalizing it.