Liquor does not have many advocates in North Carolina.

Lobbyist Theresa Kostrzewa represents the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., which is backing a bill that would allow state ABC stores to sell liquor on Sundays.

On issues affecting beer and wine sales, Kostrzewa says she could turn to distributors or retailers to drum up grassroots support. But liquor is sold in stores run by state workers who can't take sides.

So she turned to Facebook. In March, she had an employee, Zach Pritchett, create Support Sunday ABC Sales in NC! on the social networking site. 

He invited a few friends, as did Kostrzewa. With no other publicity, the group grew to 493 members, including state Rep. Nick Mackey, a Charlotte Democrat.

Kostrzewa, who joined Facebook last year to play Scrabble online, says she's impressed with the site's networking potential.

"It's a ready-made grassroots network that you didn't know you had," she said.

Do you want to "friend" a bill in the General Assembly?

You can't exactly do that, but you can join a group for or against a piece of state legislation, another step in the evolution of online politics.

Here's a running list of Facebook groups on state bills:

* Support NC House bill 223, ditch the graduation project: Supports this bill to end the high school graduation project. 8,257 members.

* I Oppose NC Senate Bill 272: Opposes this bill for a referendum to ban gay marriage in the state constitution. 6,635 members.

* North Carolina State Sovereignty Movement: Supports this resolution to declare North Carolina a sovereign state under the 10th Amendment. 849 members. 

* Ban Smoking in N.C.'s Public Places: 717 members. I'M FOR A SMOKE-FREE NORTH CAROLINA: 107 members. NC FOR Smoking Ban in Resturants (sic) and Bars: 92 members. All support this smoking ban bill.

* I support NC Senate Bill 272: 703 members. I support NC Senate Bill 272 - Defense of Marriage: 64 members. Say yes to NC Senate Bill 272: Defense of Marriage: 5 members. All support gay marriage ban referendum.

* Davie's Law / Humane Euthanasia in NC Shelters: Supports this bill to end gas chambers at state animal shelters. 577 members.

* Support Sunday ABC Sales in NC! Supports this bill to end prohibition on Sunday sales of liquor. 491 members.

* Prevent School Violence North Carolina: Supports this bill to reduce bullying in school. 461 members.

* Oppose the NC Smoking Ban: Opposes the smoking ban. 121 members.

* Pass the NC Racial Justice Act: Supports this bill to allow courts to review death sentences for racial bias. 100 members.

* NC Citizens Against Anti-Competition Bills HB1252 and S1004: Opposes bills that would prevent municipal Internet providers. 49 members.

* I oppose NC Senate Bill 138 (Salvia Ban): Opposes this bill to make a hallucinogenic mint a Schedule I drug. 49 members.

Are we missing one? E-mail dome@newsobserver.com.