PA primaries test incumbents as gaming-money pours in

Pennsylvania’s primary elections produced mixed results as incumbents faced money from skill-games and sports-betting interests, with three Republican state senators—Baker, Bartolotta, and Gebhard—surviving challenges; in the House, Greg Vitali was defeated by Judy Trombetta in the 166th, while Ce-Ce Gerlach led Ana Tiburcio in the 22nd. In the 16th Senate District, Mark Pinsley defeated Bradley Merkl-Gump to face Jarrett Coleman in November, aided by a new PAC targeting Merkl-Gump. Other contests included the 148th District race with no Republican on the ballot and Dave Nissley winning the retiring Bryan Cutler seat in Lancaster County; many races remain shaped for uncompetitive general elections.