Strong support from the Koch network for Nikki Haley as she goes after Trump

The influential Koch network’s political arm, Americans for Prosperity, formally endorsed Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign on Tuesday. It pledged to provide virtually limitless financial support as well as an army of activists across the country to assist Haley in defeating former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary.

“AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel announced the group’s decision in a memo, saying that AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November.”

“She is capable of spearheading a policy agenda to address the most pressing issues facing our country and guarantee that its best days are still to come.”

Although the campaign of the former United Nations ambassador has gained some momentum in recent months, particularly in early primary states, it has not had enough manpower on the ground to guarantee that her supporters cast ballots. However, she now bears the organizational weight of what could be the country’s most potent grassroots conservative group. For several years, the Koch network—formerly known as the Koch Brothers—has been assembling a network of compensated conservative activists and volunteers in strategic states.

Americans for Prosperity activists have already spoken with six million primary voters this summer and fall alone, either in person at their doors or over the phone, according to Seidel.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had supported conservative causes there but found it difficult to establish himself as Trump’s obvious opponent in the 2024 GOP primary, will be especially hurt by this development. But with Trump leading DeSantis and Haley in almost every poll, it’s unclear if the endorsement will help loosen his hold on the Republican presidential nomination.

The Koch network started airing advertisements in the spring in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, the first three states on the GOP’s presidential primary schedule. The advertisements focused on concerns about Trump’s likelihood of winning against Biden in the general election that falls on November 20. And yet, Trump continues to lead the contest by a wide margin.

Haley, meanwhile, expressed her gratitude to Americans for Prosperity, “including its millions of grassroots members all across the country,” saying she was honored to have their support.

The statement she released stated, “AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines.” “This is a choice between fiscal responsibility and mounting debt, individual liberty and large government, and freedom and socialism. We need to save our nation, and I’m happy that AFP Action is on our side.