Koch network backs Nikki Haley in the Republican race: Group associated with billionaire Charles says it will do ‘everything’ to make her next president and snubs Trump with just 48 days until the Iowa caucus
- Americans for Prosperity Action said Haley was best positioned to defeat Joe Biden
- It means she now has the help of a well-funded super PAC in the primaries
- But she still faces a monumental task in overhauling clear frontrunner Donald Trump
The conservative US political network led by billionaire Charles Koch on Tuesday endorsed Nikki Haley for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, saying she was the best candidate to defeat President Joe Biden next year.
It’s the latest boost for the former South Carolina governor, who has seen her stock rise thanks to a strong debate performance and better polling.
Her traditional conservative positions also align with the Koch Network, which uses its money to push for tax cuts and less government regulation.
Explaining the reasons, the report said that defeating former President Trump in the primaries was a top priority.
“While she has risen to second in the polls since August and is well positioned among the other candidates’ supporters, she is in a strong position to rally more support,” said Emily Seidel, a senior adviser to Americans for Prosperity of the Koch group. Action, in a memo.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she was honored by the support of Americans for Prosperity Action, founded by the billionaire Koch brothers
“Additionally, our internal polling consistently shows Nikki Haley to be by far the strongest candidate Republicans could face against Joe Biden in the general election – winning every key battleground state and nationally by nearly 10 points.”
She said polls also showed Republicans were ready to distance themselves from Trump.
Haley is currently battling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for second place in the race. Neither has made much of an impact on the former president’s overwhelming lead with just 48 days before Republicans meet in Iowa to announce their nomination.
Backing from a super PAC created by industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, whose family business is the nation’s second-largest privately held company, could dramatically change the dynamics of the race.
It will bolster her campaign with the kind of field workers, call centers and direct mail operations she has lacked until now.
“I am honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity Action, including its millions of grassroots members across the country,” Haley said. “The members of AFP Action know that there is too much at stake in these elections to remain on the sidelines.”
The DeSantis campaign couldn’t hide its irritation.
Spokesman Andrew Romeo posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: “Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing Koch’s endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders and pro-incarceration bill are lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical path to defeating the former president.”