A California Indian gambling tribe has entered the 4th Assembly District fray, running independent radio advertisements backing Republican candidate Beth Gaines.

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, which operates Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, has spent $25,000 on radio advertisements supporting Gaines, according to an independent expenditure report filed this week with the Secretary of State's Office.

Gaines, of Roseville, is one of eight candidates running in a March 8 primary election to fill the seat vacated by her husband Ted Gaines, who was elected to the state Senate last month.

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, based in Tehama County, contributed to Ted Gaines' successful bid for the 1st Senate District seat and is one of four members of the California Tribal Business Alliance, which spent $34,000 in support of his last Assembly re-election campaign. Neither group has given directly to Beth Gaines in the special election, according to campaign finance filings.

Tehama County is outside both the 4th Assembly District and the 1st Senate District.