She just lost a huge donor.
The political network heavily backed by billionaire Charles Koch declared on Sunday that it would cease allocating funds to bolster Nikki Haley’s presidential aspirations.
Former President Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Haley in her home state of South Carolina on Saturday served as the catalyst for this decision.
According to an email obtained by NBC News and confirmed by two sources, the advocacy arm of the network, Americans for Prosperity Action, articulated that following Haley’s defeat in South Carolina, they no longer perceive their financial support as pivotal in bolstering her candidacy. Senior adviser Emily Seidel conveyed that while they stand behind Haley’s determination to persevere, they believe external groups are unlikely to significantly enhance her chances of success in upcoming primary states. Consequently, Americans for Prosperity Action intends to redirect its resources towards supporting House and Senate races.
This move represents a setback for Haley as she remains steadfast in her commitment to challenge Trump, despite his resounding victory over her by approximately 20 percentage points in South Carolina, securing nearly all the delegates.
Americans for Prosperity played a pivotal role in supporting Haley’s campaign efforts, leveraging its extensive network of grassroots activists to drive voter turnout in early primary states. Additionally, the organization allocated substantial funds to advertising endeavors aimed at bolstering Haley’s campaign. According to Federal Election Commission data, AFP Action, a super PAC, invested over $31 million in promoting Haley’s candidacy.
The decision not to support Haley garnered mixed reactions within Koch-world circles, with some questioning the viability of her nomination bid from the outset.
With Trump seemingly on a clear path to securing the Republican presidential nomination, Haley’s prospects have dwindled significantly.
In response to the announcement, Haley’s campaign emphasized its gratitude for Americans for Prosperity’s support, reaffirming its commitment to the conservative cause and highlighting recent fundraising successes as evidence of ongoing momentum.
However, Trump, in a post on Truth Social, characterized the Koch network as having been misled from the outset.
For Americans for Prosperity, Sunday’s announcement marked a disappointing conclusion to a strategy aimed at providing an alternative to Trump in the presidential race, a commitment made a year prior with the intention of revitalizing American politics.
Reflecting on the decision, Seidel underscored the organization’s unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo, emphasizing their resolve to tackle formidable challenges, despite acknowledging the daunting odds they faced from the outset.
The initial optimism surrounding Haley’s campaign gradually waned as Trump solidified his dominance in the race, culminating in the decision to withdraw support following the New Hampshire primary when anticipated momentum failed to materialize.
