Koch network endorses Nikki Haley for GOP presidential primary

(CN) — The network financed largely by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch endorsed Nikki Haley on Tuesday, supporting her campaign against Republican rivals including former President Donald Trump. 

It's the first time Americans for Prosperity Action, a conservative super PAC in the Koch network that has shelled out hundreds of millions on past election cycles, has backed a presidential candidate.

“Our country is being ripped apart by extremes on both sides. The moment we face requires a tested leader with the governing judgment and policy experience to pull our nation back from the brink. Nikki Haley is that leader," Emily Seidel, senior adviser at Americans for Prosperity Action, wrote in the memo.

Earlier this year the organization's leaders pledged not to endorse Trump. On Tuesday, Seidel said having Haley at the top of the ticket would help to win independent and moderate votes that Trump can’t secure.

“She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation’s biggest challenges and help ensure our country’s best days are ahead," Seidel said. "With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”

With the Iowa caucus seven weeks away — Republicans have been campaigning in the state for months already — the Kochs' financial backing could shake up the playing field. The super political action committee, which spent more than $47 million on supporting and opposing candidates in the 2020 election cycle, says it plans to launch “extensive” mail, digital and television campaigns and continue door-knocking to converse with voters.

In the 2022 election cycle alone, Seidel said, the Koch-funded super PAC worked to knock on more than seven million doors and delivered over 100 million pieces of mail. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously sat in second place behind Trump, has struggled in more recent polls, even after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed him three weeks ago. Haley and DeSantis have both been vying to be the Republican alternative to Trump. 

Andrew Romeo, a DeSantis campaign spokesman, commented on the endorsement before it became public.

“Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing the Koch endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders, pro-jail break bill establishment is lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical pathway of defeating the former president. Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley's candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Recent polls by RealClearPolitics show Haley in second behind Trump in South Carolina, despite Haley having served as governor in the state; however, Haley is consistently pulling ahead of DeSantis. New Hampshire polls now rank Trump first, Haley second and DeSantis fourth, following former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. 

Haley’s campaign has said she feels confident about the approaching caucus and the New Hampshire primary.

“Nikki Haley will have the full weight and scope of AFP Action’s unmatched grassroots army and resources to help her earn the support of Americans to become the next President of the United States of America,” Seidel said. 

Haley’s team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Follow @SKHaulenbeek

Follow @shaulenbeek.bsky.social