A network backed by billionaire Charles Koch has decided to stop funding Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley as it takes stock of her defeat in her home state.
Americans For Prosperity Action, the influential conservative organization supporting Haley in the Republican presidential primary, has decided to end its financial support for her campaign.
CEO Emily Seidel announced Sunday that the group's political arm, AFP Action, would have to reevaluate its spending priorities following Haley's loss in the South Carolina primary.
AFP has committed more than $32 million to support Haley since her endorsement in late November, according to Federal Election Commission records. Founded in 2004, the group is one of America's most influential conservative organizations and is backed by billionaire brothers Charles Koch and David Koch.
“She has made it clear that she will continue to fight and we fully support her in this effort,” Seidel wrote. “However, given the challenges ahead in the primary states, we do not believe an outside group can make a significant difference in paving her path to victory.”
Americans For Prosperity Action, the influential conservative organization supporting Haley in the Republican presidential primary, has decided to end its financial support for her campaign
According to Federal Election Commission records, Americans for Prosperity Action has committed over $32 million to support Haley since endorsing her in late November (pictured: Bill and David Koch, 2017).
The Koch-Back group said it would instead shift its focus to competitive Senate and House races, Seidel said in an internal email obtained by POLITICO.
Although he expressed support for Haley's continued efforts, Seidel said the group believes outside support would not significantly impact its chances of victory – and acknowledged the challenges that still lie ahead in the primary states.
“With Donald Trump at the top of the Republican ticket, the risk of one-party rule by a Democratic Party captured by the Progressive Left is great and would cause irreparable damage to the country,” Seidel wrote 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 influence on the Republican Party brand.”
“And we should expect this to increase as criminal cases progress.”
Founded in 2004, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is one of America's most influential conservative organizations, backed by billionaire brothers Charles Koch and David Koch
CEO Emily Seidel announced Sunday that the group's political arm, AFP Action, would have to reevaluate its spending priorities following Haley's loss in the South Carolina primary
The decision represents another setback to Haley's presidential aspirations, as she suffered defeats in several early primary states.
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 through Super Tuesday on March 5.
Americans For Prosperity Action had previously funded advertising and field operations to persuade Republican voters to support an alternative to Trump.
In November, the group officially endorsed Haley as its preferred candidate against Trump.
The group has since attracted millions of voters and spent more than $30 million in advertising for Haley.
“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 on Sunday.
“Our fight continues, and with more than $1 million raised from grassroots conservatives in the last 24 hours alone, we have plenty of fuel to keep going.” “We have a country to save.”
Nikki Haley's defeat on Saturday marks the first time in more than 50 years that a Republican presidential candidate has lost his home state in the primary
Donald Trump took another step toward a rematch with Joe Biden in the general election by decimating Nikki Haley in her home state in the South Carolina Republican primary.
Trump declared his quick victory at his Election Day party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, saying with a grin, “That was a little earlier than we expected.”
Trump's victory builds on the strong momentum he built with victories in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Haley's defeat on Saturday marks the first time in more than 50 years that a Republican candidate has lost his home state presidential primary. The predecessor was Richard Nixon, who lost the California primary to Ronald Reagan – who also came from California.
Former President Donald Trump took the stage Saturday night to announce victory in South Carolina's Columbia primary
But Haley said during a “state of the race” speech Tuesday that she was “far from” ending her candidacy, despite her disappointing performance so far in the primary and dismal polls that showed her in the national ones and state elections trailed Trump by a wide margin.
The former South Carolina governor said she plans to stay in the 2024 Republican primary until Super Tuesday on March 5, when 16 states and one territory will hold contests and a staggering 874 delegates will be up for election on that single day.
Trump spoke for just over 20 minutes — and even after he left the stage, the Associated Press reported only 6 percent of the votes counted in South Carolina.