The Butler County Republican Party’s largest fundraiser of the year will feature a speaker who has raised eyebrows nationally in the past week with his reverse stance on same-sex marriage.

Sen. Rob Portman, who has been taking some heat from conservatives for his recent endorsement of gay marriage, is slated to deliver the keynote address at the county GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner, which usually draws hundreds of supporters to the $75-a-plate affair. But some GOP members were questioning Wednesday whether Portman’s presence might keep attendance, if not contributions, down.

“I have had people in the party tell me they are not going, or don’t want to go, because of his stance,” said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. “I think it has caused a controversy in the Republican party.”

Larry Miller, a Hanover Twp. trustee and a party regional head, said he will not be attending a $500-per-person private reception with Portman before the dinner at The Oscar Event Center in Fairfield, despite already buying the ticket. He cited Portman’s turnaround as the reason he’ll be a no-show at the reception.

“I just don’t believe in marriage like that,” Miller said, noting he will attend the dinner portion. “He has a right like everyone else to his opinion, but I don’t have to support it.”

Dave Kern, county GOP chairman, said he has not heard of people cancelling their reservations; and Central Committee Chairwoman Judy Shelton said ticket and ad sales have been good.

Portman’s appearance at the Lincoln Day Dinner will be among his first public speaking events since announcing he supported gay marriage last week. Portman said his evolution on the issue occurred after his son came out as a gay man.

In response to the senator’s revelation, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, whose district includes Butler County, said Sunday he can not imagine supporting same-sex marriage.

Portman’s office did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday.

Jones said he received a call from Portman on Wednesday, but was not in the office to take it. He said he’s not sure about the reason for the call, but it could be security concerns.

“I’m going (to the dinner),” Jones said, noting his personal belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

Kern said, “the definition of marriage consists of the union between a man and a woman is part of the 2012 Republican platform. As chairman of the Butler County Republican Party, I support that and know that the vast majority of Butler County Republicans feel the same way.”

Butler County Commissioner Don Dixon said he, too, will be in attendance.

“I go to support the party, not to hear the speaker, whoever it is,” Dixon said.

County Recorder Danny Crank served as Portman’s county chairman in his first election and said he has not changed his support.

“I don’t care about people changing their minds about political views. You get out there in the real world and things happen. Sometimes your views change,” Crank said.

He added, “I admire him for the stand he took. I am sure he did a lot of soul searching.”

Both Commissioner T.C. Rogers and Auditor Roger Reynolds said they will be in attendance at the dinner, as they have for many years, noting it is about supporting the county GOP. But Rogers said he does not support Portman’s view on same-sex marriage.

County Treasurer Nancy Nix, who is the treasurer of the county Republican Party, said Portman has done a lot of good over the years and this is just “a blip.”

“I just don’t think you can discount years and years of public service,” Nix said. ” I will continue to support Sen. Portman. He’s an outstanding statesman, and will continue to represent Ohio well regardless of his stance on this one issue. I expect Lincoln Day will be a success as it always is.”