{"id":2364348,"date":"2024-11-05T11:27:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T16:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/koch-backed-super-pac-spends-record-amount-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-05T11:31:30","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T16:31:30","slug":"koch-backed-super-pac-spends-record-amount-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/koch-backed-super-pac-spends-record-amount-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Koch-backed super PAC spends record amount &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkoch-backed-super-pac-spends-record-amount-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2364348&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A super PAC affiliated with\u2063 billionaire Charles Koch, known \u200cas Americans \u200bfor Prosperity Action (AFP Action), has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rudy-giuliani-spent-half-of-his-bank-account-on-personal-expenses-despite-pressure-from-creditors-washington-examiner-2\/\" title=\"Rudy Giuliani spent half of his bank account on personal expenses despite pressure from creditors - Washington Examiner\">reportedly \u2063spent<\/a> around $160 million\u2062 this election\u2063 cycle to support Republican \u2062candidates, significantly more than its expenditures in previous elections.\u2064 The group&#8217;s spending has more than tripled since the 2020 cycle, during which it spent\u200b approximately $47.7 million. The funds are\u2063 primarily aimed at \u200daiding\u200c GOP candidates \u2064in \u200bkey races for the House and Senate, particularly in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. AFP Action\u2063 has engaged in\u200d extensive grassroots \u2064efforts, reaching approximately 20 million voters this cycle \u200bthrough various campaign strategies, including digital advertisements and canvassing.<\/p>\n<p>AFP\u2064 Action&#8217;s backing of Republican candidates comes as part of its broader goal to prevent &#8220;one-party progressive rule&#8221; in Washington. Although the super PAC\u200b supported Nikki Haley in \u2062the GOP presidential primary, it shifted its focus after \u200dshe lost.\u200c The funding for AFP Action has come significantly from Koch Industries\u2062 and the Koch network&#8217;s Stand Together Chamber of Commerce. The rise of super PACs like AFP Action has been facilitated by the Supreme\u200d Court&#8217;s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v.\u200b FEC, allowing for \u2064unrestricted \u200bcampaign spending to influence elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Koch-funded super PAC drops record sums in 2024 backing Republicans<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1872761\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/super-pacs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">super PAC<\/a> affiliated with billionaire businessman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/koch-industries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Charles Koch<\/a> and his late brother, David Koch, has spent roughly $160 million this election cycle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/campaign-finance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"boosting Republicans,\">boosting Republicans,<\/a> records show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The sprawling independent expenditures by Americans for Prosperity Action were largely made to support GOP House and Senate candidates through canvassing, digital advertisements, mailers, and other campaign-related services, according to Federal Election Commission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/independent-expenditures\/?data_type=processed&amp;q_spender=C00687103&amp;cycle=2024&amp;is_notice=true&amp;most_recent=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">filings<\/a>. AFP Action&rsquo;s spending has more than tripled since 2020, when it dropped $47.7 million, whereas the Koch-linked group spent $70 million in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">grassroots effort isn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t built overnight, it takes years of sustained community engagement and data that&rsquo;s continuously refined,&rdquo; Bill Riggs, a spokesman for AFP Action, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;We started as an emerging field program and have consistently grown<strong> <\/strong>into a grassroots force capable of contacting nearly 20 million voters in one cycle.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>AFP Action is the flagship super PAC of the Koch network, a web of right-leaning groups bankrolled by philanthropists Charles Koch and David Koch. The spending spree is, in part, a result of the super PAC targeting Senate races in Pennsylvania and Ohio in support of Republican candidates David McCormick and Bernie Moreno. The Republicans are facing Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), respectively.<\/p>\n<p>AFP Action&rsquo;s spending also heavily targeted Senate races in Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Riggs, the AFP Action spokesman, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the super PAC engaged in a total of 647 races to reach 12.4 million voters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this June 29, 2019, file photograph, Charles Koch, chief executive officer of Koch Industries, is seen in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To the Koch-linked group, its spending is &ldquo;to prevent one-party progressive rule in Washington,&rdquo; AFP Action recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/conservative-group-rolls-out-4-million-ad-buy-boost-us-republicans-congressional-2024-07-08\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The super PAC was an ally of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nikki-haley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Nikki Haley<\/a> in the 2024 GOP presidential primary but pivoted away from financially backing Haley after she lost the primary in South Carolina, her home state. AFP Action poured $31 million into digital ads, canvassing, and mailers supporting Haley, records show.<\/p>\n<p>Since the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 2010 ruling in <em>Citizens United v. FEC,<\/em> super PACs such as AFP Action have become a force in U.S. politics, raising and spending unlimited sums of money to influence elections. This election cycle, AFP Action has pulled in $40 million from Koch Industries, Charles Koch&rsquo;s behemoth corporation in Wichita, Kansas.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, tens of millions of dollars also flooded into AFP Action from the Koch network&rsquo;s Stand Together Chamber of Commerce. Between 2021 and 2022, $150 million of Stand Together&rsquo;s funding also came from the Koch-backed CCKC4 nonprofit group, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/southern-poverty-law-center-maintains-160-million-in-offshore-accounts\/\" title=\"Southern Poverty Law Center Maintains 0 Million in Offshore Accounts\">tax forms show<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>CCKC4, based in Wichita, counts its director as Chase Koch, one of Charles Koch&rsquo;s sons.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If we want a government that works for all of us and not just the wealthy few, we must curb the political influence of the ultra-rich,&rdquo; David Kass, the executive director of the progressive Americans for Tax Fairness, <a href=\"https:\/\/readsludge.com\/2024\/11\/04\/koch-super-pac-shatters-its-election-spending-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">told<\/a> <em>Sludge<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At the same time, left-wing billionaires have also shelled out historic sums this election cycle to boost Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats, the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3179215\/kamala-harris-influential-megadonors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reported<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Progressive groups often raise concerns over the influence of &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-dark-money-dems-want-the-names-of-conservative-donors\/\" title=\"Why &#039;Dark Money&#039; Dems Want The Names Of Conservative Donors\">dark money&#038;rdquo<\/a>; in politics &mdash; though records show that anonymous and hard-to-trace donations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3203722\/kamala-harris-dark-money-support-donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">are favoring Harris over Trump<\/a> at a faster and more substantial clip in 2024. <\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1872761\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1872761\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Koch-backed super PAC spends $160 million to support Republicans<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":381,"featured_media":2364349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Charles-Koch-2024-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[44387,39978,23813],"class_list":["post-2364348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-koch-industries","tag-political-spending","tag-super-pac"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Charles-Koch-2024-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2364348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/381"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2364348"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2364348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2364356,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2364348\/revisions\/2364356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2364349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2364348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2364348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2364348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}