While there were only modest differences in the pro-casino positions of the four major candidates for Governor, much to our delight, the gambling lobby failed to gain any ground in yesterday's legislative primaries.

• On the Senate side, anti-casino candidates won every contested race against their pro-casino opponent. 
• Victorious anti-casino Republican John Reagan was targeted by casino interests, who spent at least $4,500 to support his Senate primary opponent. 
• On the House side, among the 20 incumbents running for re-election who were defeated, 11 voted this spring for HB-593 (the 4-casino bill), where 9 voted against. 
• Among the non-incumbent House candidates signing our GSCAEG anti-casino pledge, only 10 (a small minority) lost their primaries.  
• Even in pro-casino Salem, all four publicly anti-casino House candidates won their primaries, John Sytek being the top vote getter of all candidates. 

Bottom line for candidates?

Candidates taking public anti-casino positions are not being systematically punished by voters. Those opposing casinos should continue with confidence to educate and explain their positions to voters.

Bottom line for voters?

Voters are wiser than the casino lobby thinks they are.  Even in towns thought to be pro-casino, voters can be confident that asking candidates to stand publicly against casinos will not injure those candidates.

We urge voters to do so.

Best Regards,

Jim Rubens

Chair, GSCAEG