GAMING AND GAMBLING INTERESTS whose industries were eyed for new or higher taxes in 2025 have spent at least $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 record of Republican candidates in three key state Senate races.

The three incumbents — state Sens. Lisa Baker, Camera Bartolotta, and Chris Gebhard — are either in caucus leadership or are closely allied with leaders, often voting for state budget deals and other compromises. A loss by any would be a blow to the chamber’s leadership, who are picked in closed-door elections by the caucus, and likely move the caucus’ ideological center further to the right, Capitol observers noted.

“It’s about special interests being told no, and the only path to retribution is to control the next generation of Senate leadership," one Capitol lobbyist told Spotlight PA.