New reports indicate that 84% of the $5.3 million Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity recently received came from companies that operate skill games. The numbers irritated Pennsylvania residents, who accused the Republican candidate of defending the interests of this industry solely because she was being paid.
As reported by Local 21 News, Garrity saw a late surge in donations to her campaign, bringing in around $5.3 million recently. The amount dwarfed the $1.3 million she had raised during the entire campaign up to that point.
However, 84% of the cash came from donors like Joseph Rocca, who owns Riote Touch Distribution, a company that distributes skill game machines, and donated $500,000. Two other donors reportedly donated $2 million each and also had ties to the industry.
Earlier this month, Garrity was seen siding with skill game operators at a protest against the recent ban in Pennsylvania. As things stand, companies need a gambling license to operate the so-called skill games, following a state Supreme Court ruling. Garrity is reportedly seen by the industry as the candidate who will fight for its interests.
Pennsylvania Residents Criticize Garrity
Pennsylvania residents on r/Pennsylvania were unhappy to see the industry donating so much money to Garrity. One of them wrote: “If your career trajectory has resulted in you becoming part of ‘skills games interests,’ then I implore you to do some serious soul-searching.”
The anger toward the politician and skill game operators was widespread: “This should be bigger news. PA voters need to understand how laws are purchased. We need to be putting a spotlight on the companies that are openly bribing the government, and we need to stop electing officials who are comfortable accepting bribes.”
Some folks had harsh words for Garrity. One of them called her “just as corrupt as those machines.” Another person mocked the politician, saying, “She’s like the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz if he was stuffed with cash instead of straw.”
It remains to be seen whether the support for Garrity’s campaign will ultimately give the industry an edge, as it faces an uncertain future following the state Supreme Court’s ruling that skill game operators need specialized licenses.
