Gambling Interests Play Major Role in Funding Gov. Andy Beshear’s Super PAC

Gambling and racing interests helped fuel a major fundraising surge for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s Super PAC in 2025.

Gambling and racing interests played a significant role in the fundraising surge of Andy Beshear’s Super PAC in 2025, as the committee dramatically expanded its war chest during its second year of operation.

Beshear’s Super PAC, In This Together, raised $4.3 million in 2025, a sharp increase from $2.5 million in 2024, according to campaign finance disclosures.

The fundraising acceleration coincides with growing national attention around the Democratic governor, who is widely viewed as a potential contender for higher office in the coming years.

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Fundraising Nearly Doubles in Year Two

The Super PAC’s financial growth was driven by a strong second half of the year, as donors stepped up contributions amid heightened political activity nationwide.

Key fundraising figures for 2025 include:

• Total raised: $4.3 million
• First half (Jan–June): $1.4 million
• Second half (July–Dec): Nearly $2.9 million
• Cash on hand (Jan. 1, 2026): Approximately $1.28 million

The late-year surge more than doubled the PAC’s first-half performance, underscoring growing donor confidence and interest in Beshear’s political operation.

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Gambling and Racing Industries Give Big

Among the most notable contributors in 2025 were organizations tied to Kentucky’s racing and gambling sectors, which together donated roughly $500,000 to the Super PAC.

Major industry donors included:

• Churchill Downs – $105,000
• Lexington Trots Breeders Association (The Red Mile) – $100,000
• ECL Entertainment (owner of Kentucky Downs and multiple racinos) – $110,000

The prominence of gambling-related donors reflects the industry’s continued interest in maintaining strong relationships with state leadership, particularly as Kentucky expands and regulates wagering and gaming activity.

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Individual Mega-Donors Also Drive Growth

In addition to industry support, the Super PAC benefited from several high-dollar individual contributors who significantly boosted totals during the second half of the year.

Notable individual donors included:

• Ashish Patel, a Pennsylvania physician – $450,000 in late-year contributions
• Andrew Nathan Schwartzberg, a Maryland real estate developer – $425,000 over the course of 2025

These large donations accounted for a sizable share of the PAC’s second-half fundraising surge.

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Corporate and Labor Contributions Add to Mix

Beyond gambling and individual mega-donors, the Super PAC also received support from major corporate and labor organizations.

Each of the following contributed $50,000 in 2025:

• DoorDash
• Jim Beam Brands
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

The diversity of donors highlights the PAC’s broad national reach beyond Kentucky politics alone.

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Spending Extends Well Beyond Kentucky

While Beshear remains focused on his role as Kentucky governor, In This Together spent heavily in 2025 supporting Democratic candidates and causes across the country.

Notable expenditures included:

• $143,568 toward a Wisconsin Supreme Court race
• $40,000 to the successful gubernatorial campaign of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger
• More than $1.4 million total in national political spending

The spending pattern has fueled speculation that the Super PAC serves as a long-term vehicle to maintain Beshear’s national political profile.

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A Hybrid PAC With National Ambitions

In This Together operates as a hybrid political action committee, filing disclosures with both the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. Such committees can raise unlimited funds for independent political spending while also engaging in certain direct political activities under federal rules.

Political observers widely view the PAC as a platform to support Beshear’s broader ambitions, including potential consideration for a 2028 presidential run, though the governor has not formally announced any plans beyond his current term.

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Why the Gambling Money Matters

The heavy involvement of gambling and racing interests is likely to draw scrutiny as Kentucky continues to navigate gaming policy, sports betting oversight, and broader economic development tied to the industry.

While contributions to Super PACs are legal and commonplace, the scale of industry involvement underscores:

• The political importance of gambling regulation in Kentucky
• The financial influence of racing and wagering stakeholders
• The growing nationalization of state-level political figures

As Beshear’s profile continues to rise, the composition of his Super PAC’s donor base may receive increased attention from both political allies and critics.

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