Koch Network Might Support Democrats in 2020 Elections

The Koch family’s massive political donation network “Stand Together” is launching four new PACs to support candidates in the upcoming elections: “Uniting for Immigration Reform,” “Uniting for Free Expression,” “Uniting for Free Trade,” and “Economic Opportunity.”

Each PAC is named after the initiative it supports; for example, “Uniting Free Trade” will support candidates who want to undo Trump’s tariffs on China and “Economic Opportunity” will fight to remove business regulations and decrease federal spending.

Stand Together also announced it was ready to support candidates from any political party (a big shift from its Republicans-only past). 

“[Americans for Prosperity] will support the primary election of lawmakers, regardless of political party, who stick their necks out to lead diverse policy coalitions,” wrote Emily Seidel, head of the network’s policy and political arm.

“The threat of being primaried prevents policymakers from leading on difficult issues and driving principled policy reforms. Americans for Prosperity…will be ready to engage contested US Senate, US House, and state-level primary races including Republican, Democrat, Independent or otherwise, to support sitting legislators who lead by uniting with others to pass principled policy and get good things done.”

The Koch brothers are Libertarian-leaning small government advocates who support free market principles. The duo did not endorse Trump in 2016 and will not campaign for his reelection.

Stand Together has celebrated numerous political victories during Trump’s presidency, but is frustrated with the Administration over its inaction on immigration, its failure to repeal Obamacare, and Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic.

The network also opposes Trump’s combative rhetoric and the increasing partisanship in Congress. 

“We expect policymakers to unite people and build coalitions. We’re committed to forging a new way forward with political discourse,” said Seidel during an interview. “We’re excited for how this new approach will help policymakers work together.”