The political network largely financed by billionaire Charles Koch made a significant announcement on Sunday: it will cease spending funds to support Nikki Haley’s presidential bid.
Former President Donald Trump secured a resounding victory over Haley on Saturday in South Carolina, her home state where she previously served as governor.
According to an email obtained by NBC News, which was confirmed by two reliable sources, the advocacy arm of the network stated that following Haley’s defeat in South Carolina, they no longer believed their support could substantially impact her campaign. Senior adviser Emily Seidel expressed this sentiment, noting that Americans for Prosperity Action will redirect its resources towards House and Senate races instead.
Seidel emphasized, “She has made it clear that she will continue to fight, and we wholeheartedly support her in this effort. But given the challenges in the primary states ahead, we don’t believe any outside group can make a material difference to widen her path to victory.”
Nikki Haley (Credits: WPTV)
This development deals a blow to Haley as she persists in her opposition to Trump, who triumphed over her by a significant margin in South Carolina, securing nearly all delegates.
AFP played a pivotal role in supporting Haley’s campaign on the ground, leveraging its extensive network of grassroots activists to mobilize voters in early states. Additionally, the group invested heavily in advertising to bolster her candidacy. AFP Action, a super PAC, reportedly spent over $31 million in support of Haley, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Donors to Americans for Prosperity had urged the group to endorse a Republican primary candidate as an alternative to Trump. When Haley’s endorsement was announced in November, Seidel stated that AFP Action believed she was the best candidate to usher in a new political era, asserting that the organization was uniquely positioned to support her.
However, skepticism lingered within Koch-world circles, with many doubting Haley’s viability as a nominee.
With Trump seemingly on course to secure the Republican nomination, Haley’s path forward has narrowed considerably. Despite her determination to challenge Trump, she faces an uphill battle.
In response to AFP’s decision, Haley’s campaign expressed gratitude for their past support and highlighted recent fundraising successes, affirming their commitment to continue the fight.
Meanwhile, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the Koch network, characterizing them as having been misled from the outset.
For AFP, this announcement marks a disappointing conclusion to their strategy, which aimed to offer an alternative to Trump. Seidel acknowledged the challenging nature of their endeavor but emphasized the organization’s commitment to tackling difficult tasks.
Although optimism initially surrounded Haley’s campaign, particularly following her performance in New Hampshire, this momentum waned as Trump maintained his dominance in the race. Despite initial hopes for a resurgence, the reality failed to align with expectations, ultimately leading to the decision to withdraw support.
