The influential network associated with billionaire Charles Koch has announced that it will throw its money and influence behind Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in the upcoming primary race. Americans for Prosperity Action, the political arm of Koch’s network, will deploy its vast resources and standing army of conservative activists to support Haley’s campaign.
The decision to back Haley could dramatically reshape the Republican field just seven weeks before the Iowa caucuses. This comes after prominent figures have joined her campaign in recent weeks, particularly after South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott exited the race.
Earlier this year, AFP Action pledged to back a single contender in the GOP presidential primary for the first time in its history. The organization made it clear that it would bypass former President Donald Trump in its quest to find a president “who represents a new chapter.”
“We can’t keep looking to the politicians of the past to fix the problems of today,” said Emily Seidel, a top AFP official. “Nikki Haley represents a new generation of leadership and offers a bold, positive vision for our future. AFP Action is proud to be endorsing her and we will be doing everything we can to help make her the next President of the United States.”
The endorsement will kick off with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in support of Haley launching this week in all early and several Super Tuesday states. This effort will leverage the group’s extensive data capabilities and grassroots reach.
The announcement has drawn criticism from the campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another candidate jockeying to emerge as the main Trump alternative. The DeSantis campaign called the endorsement of Haley an “in-kind” contribution to Trump’s campaign, saying that “Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign.”
With Haley and DeSantis vying to emerge as the main Trump alternative, the upcoming Republican primary is likely to be closely contested. The announcement of Koch’s support for Haley adds a new dynamic to the race, as other wealthy donors and influential organizations continue to weigh in.
In addition to attempting to stir doubts about Trump among the GOP faithful, network officials have said part of their 2024 strategy is to bring a broader range of voters – those who reliably vote in general elections but not Republican primaries – into the GOP primary process to help alter the outcome of early contests.
The move by Koch’s network to support Haley is a significant development in the Republican presidential primary race, and it sets the stage for a heated and closely contested campaign in the coming months.