Koch network pulls funding for Haley as billionaire backers ‘take stock’ of humiliating GOP primary defeat in her home state

A network backed by billionaire Charles Koch has decided to raise funding for Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley as it “takes stock” after her loss in her home state.

Americans For Prosperity Action, the influential conservative organization that supported Haley in the Republican presidential primaries, has decided to end financial support for her campaign.

CEO Emily Seidel announced Sunday that the group’s political arm, AFP Action, had to reassess its spending priorities following Haley’s defeat in the South Carolina primary.

According to Federal Election Commission data, AFP has allocated more than $32 million in support of Haley since endorsing her in late November. Founded in 2004, the group is one of the most influential American conservative organizations, backed by billionaire brothers Charles Koch and David Koch.

“She has made it clear that she will continue to fight and we wholeheartedly support her in this effort,” Seidel wrote. “But given the challenges in the upcoming primaries, we do not believe any outside group can make a material difference to broaden her path to victory.”

Americans for Prosperity Action has provided more than $32 million in support of Haley since endorsing her in late November, according to Federal Election Commission data (Image: Bill and David Koch, 2017)

The Koch-backed group said it would shift its focus to competitive races in the Senate and House of Representatives, Seidel said in an internal email obtained by POLITICO.

Despite voicing her support for Haley’s continued efforts, Seidel said the group believes outside support would not significantly impact its chances of victory — while acknowledging the challenges that remain in the primary.

“If Donald Trump is at the top of the Republican ticket, the risk of one-party rule by a Democratic Party controlled by the Progressive Left is high and would cause irreparable damage to the country,” Seidel wrote on Sunday.

“The last three election cycles have painted a very clear picture of what we can expect from voters who have consistently rejected Donald Trump and his impact on the Republican Party brand.”

“And we can expect this to increase further as the criminal cases progress.”

Founded in 2004, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is one of the most influential American conservative organizations, backed by billionaire brothers Charles Koch and David Koch

CEO Emily Seidel announced Sunday that the group’s political arm, AFP Action, had to reassess its spending priorities following Haley’s defeat in the South Carolina primary.

The decision marks another setback for Haley’s presidential ambitions, as she has suffered defeats in several early primaries.

Despite her significant loss to former President Donald Trump in her home state of South Carolina, Haley has vowed to continue her campaign at least until Super Tuesday on March 5.

Americans For Prosperity Action had previously funded ads and field operations aimed at convincing Republican voters to support an alternative to Trump.

In November, the group officially endorsed Haley as their preferred candidate against Trump.

The group has since engaged millions of voters and spent more than $30 million in advertising on Haley’s behalf.

‘AFP is a great organization and ally in the fight for freedom and a conservative government. We thank them for their tremendous help in this race,” Haley’s campaign said in a statement Sunday.

“Our fight continues, and with over $1 million coming in from grassroots conservatives in the last 24 hours, we have plenty of fuel to keep going. We have a country to save.”

Nikki Haley’s loss Saturday marks the first time in more than 50 years that a Republican presidential candidate has lost his home state in the primaries

Donald Trump took another step toward a general election rematch with Joe Biden by decimating Nikki Haley in her home state during the Republican primaries in South Carolina.

Declaring his quick victory at his election party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, Trump said with a grin, “This was a little sooner than we expected.”

Trump’s victory builds on the rising momentum he built after victories in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

Haley’s loss Saturday marks the first time in more than 50 years that a Republican candidate has lost the primary in his home state. The previous one was Richard Nixon, who lost the California primaries to Ronald Reagan, who was also from California.

Former President Donald Trump took the stage Saturday evening to announce victory in the South Carolina primary in Columbia

But Haley said during a “state of the race” address on Tuesday that she was “nowhere near” ending her bid, despite her disappointing performance in the primaries so far and dismal polling showing her with her in national and state elections. trailed Trump by large margins.

The former South Carolina governor said she plans to remain in the 2024 Republican primary until Super Tuesday on March 5, when 16 states and one territory will hold contests and as many as 874 delegates will be up for grabs on that one day.

Trump spoke for just over 20 minutes — and even after he left the stage, the Associated Press reported only 6 percent of votes counted in South Carolina.