Garrity’s fundraising skyrockets in final weeks of Pa. governor’s race thanks to skill games – The Morning Call

Garrity’s fundraising skyrockets in final weeks of Pa. governor’s race thanks to skill games  The Morning Call

The Republican's campaign received $2 million from a skill games businessman accused of running an "illegal gambling enterprise" with his father. HARRISBURG — Republican Stacy Garrity raised more money in the past five weeks than she did during the rest of her campaign for governor, much of it tied to the skill games industry. Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 19, Garrity raised almost $5.4 million. She’s still being outraised by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who brought in $8.4 million in the same period. But the influx is fueling a surge of TV ads from Garrity’s campaign that attack Shapiro in the closing days of the Nov. 3 election as polls show her trailing by double digits.

Garrity spokesperson Matt Beynon did not address specific questions from Spotlight PA about the campaign’s fundraising, only saying that “the difference between where Josh Shapiro raises money and who supports Stacy Garrity could not be a starker contrast.” Regulating skill games is one of Harrisburg’s thorniest issues. The games brought in money for small businesses and social clubs, and major industry players have sunk millions into lobbying the legislature and donating to campaigns. But casinos, also a powerful force in the state, have long seen skill games as an under-regulated threat. The issue deeply divides lawmakers, and not just along party lines. The state