The influential Koch network is open to backing Democrats in the 2020 election cycle.
A memo from Emily Seidel, the CEO of Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers’ political organization, said the group would “support the primary election of lawmakers, regardless of political party, who stick their necks out to lead diverse policy coalitions.”
It’s a shift in how the network has operated in past elections, donating tens of millions of dollars to support Republican candidates.
The Koch brothers, 79-year-old David and 83-year-old Charles, have used their wealth to push for smaller government and have traditionally supported conservative causes and candidates. David Koch stepped down from Koch Industries and the political group last year, citing his declining health.
A top priority for the group is extending protection to Dreamers. The Trump administration announced in 2017 it was rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The program, enacted by former President Obama in 2012, protected people under the age of 18 who were brought to the U.S. illegally from deportation.
The network will also launch four new political action committees focused on economic opportunity, free expression, free trade, and immigration reform.
“We know that candidates will seldom agree with Americans for Prosperity on every issue,” Seidel wrote. “But for those who do the politically difficult job of leading on a critical issue, these issue-specific PACs will make it clear why millions of Americans support them on that issue, even if they have principled disagreements on others.”
The network did not support President Trump in the 2016 election and does not plan on backing his reelection in 2020.
