Gaming and gambling interests whose industries were eyed for new or higher taxes in 2025 have spent $8.1 million and counting in the lead-up to Pennsylvania’s May primary.
The spending was done by three groups, and much of it has been concentrated on independent ads that either praise or savage the records of Republican incumbents and their primary challengers in three key state Senate races.
The incumbents — Lisa Baker of Luzerne County, Camera Bartolotta of Washington County, and Chris Gebhard of Lebanon County — are either in caucus leadership or closely allied with leaders, often voting for state budget deals and other compromises.
