Gun rights and control groups spend on elections of NEPA Congressional, state legislators

Jun. 14—Gun rights and control groups have spent money for more than a decade trying to influence elections of state and federal legislators who represent Northeast Pennsylvania in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg, a review of campaign finances shows.

The vast majority of the spending focused on members of Congress. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey received the most help from gun rights groups, almost $1.68 million, but almost all of that was in 2010, the first time he ran for the Senate.

After Toomey introduced gun-control legislation in 2013, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, most of his support from the gun rights community dried up and his rating by the National Rifle Association dropped from an 'A' to a 'C.' Their legislation would expand background checks to include gun show and internet sales, but has failed to pass Congress.

Since 2010, Toomey has received no direct NRA contributions and only $5,000 total from two gun rights groups in 2016 — Safari Club International Political Action Committee and Dallas Safari Club PAC, according to the Federal Election Commission campaign finance website.

The money gun-rights groups spent on Toomey wasn't all direct contributions to his campaign anyway. He received $162,676 in contributions from gun-rights groups like the NRA or individuals, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks contributions to members of Congress and spending on federal election races in general. The pro-gun groups independently spent $956,630 supporting Toomey, including $889,130 from the NRA, and another $559,068 opposing candidates challenging Toomey in elections.

Toomey has repeatedly portrayed himself as someone who stood up to the NRA, but also as a strong Second Amendment supporter and gun owner. He celebrated the bipartisan agreement announced Sunday by senators looking to enact modest gun control after the mass shooting at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school that killed 21.

"We can protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans while making our communities safer. This bipartisan agreement offers a path forward to achieving that," Toomey said on social media.

Gun-control advocates rallying Saturday on Courthouse Square mostly targeted Republicans for opposing gun controls, but Ryan Kersey, 15, a freshman at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, singled out Toomey and his NRA support. Kersey acknowledged Toomey's support for expanded background checks, but noted his vote against banning assault weapons.

"So I think if we look at stuff like that, our leaders, especially our Republican leaders, when it counts, they failed," Kersey said.

Among other members of Congress who represent the region, according to the center:

—U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who favors more gun control, received no gun rights money and $30,225 from groups or individuals favoring more gun control. The NRA has spent $349,389 independently either opposing Casey or supporting his opponents.

—U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, who also favors more gun control, received no gun rights money, but $17,500 from gun control groups and individuals. The NRA has spent $46,953 opposing his election.

—U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, Jackson Twp., who bills himself as a strong Second Amendment supporter, received $12,500 in gun rights contributions, including $6,000 directly from the NRA. The NRA spent $8,421 independently supporting him.

—U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-12, Snyder, who also promotes himself as a gun rights supporter, received $13,305 from gun rights groups or individuals. He also benefited from $9,393 in independent NRA spending supporting him.

On the state level, only five local legislators — none from Lackawanna County — received small, gun-related contributions. All were from the NRA and only one was recent.

The legislators and the amounts they received, according to a review of their campaign finance reports, are:

—Former Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp., a $300 contribution in 2013.

—Rep. Karen Bobeck, R-117, Harveys Lake, $750 total from $250 contributions in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

—Rep. Mike Peifer, R-139, Greene Twp., a $1,000 contribution in 2019.

—Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, Swoyersville, $1,500 total from $500 contributions in 2013, 2014, and 2017.

—Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., $1,500 total from $500 contributions in 2008, 2009, and 2022.

Contact the writer:

bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter.