Pa.'s richest person has spent $18 million on the 2022 primary -- mostly to influence one issue
(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2022/05/16/jeff-yass-pennsylvania-primary-spending-democrats-republicans-influence-philadelphia-spotlight/stories/202205160073
HARRISBURG What does a conservative upstart challenging a top House Republican in York County have in common with a scion of a Democratic political family facing a progressive primary in Philadelphia?
Despite differing priorities and positions, both candidates campaigns are beneficiaries of the political largess of billionaire Jeff Yass, a Montgomery County investor and Pennsylvanias richest denizen. A billionaire who turned gambling winnings into one of the largest stock trading companies in the U.S., Mr. Yass is a registered Libertarian, according to Pennsylvania Department of State records.
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Mr. Yass allies, including many who spend or have sought his dollars, argue he is a single-issue donor who backs candidates who support alternatives to public schools.
Its no secret, longtime conservative activist Matt Brouillette said. Where Jeff and [his wife] Janine invest their philanthropy and political dollars, they are passionate about getting kids to better schools.
But critics from various political backgrounds argued Mr. Yass spending prioritizes peddling influence or inserting his ideology into both major parties, whether the issue is privatizing public schools or cutting taxes.
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(caption) A graphic showing how Jeff Yass' money filters through several PACs to reach a candidate.
(Graphic by Spotlight PA)