A spokesman for the Koch brothers refuted reports Thursday that they are planning to financially support Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson’s campaign.
“Reports that we are supporting or considering supporting any third party presidential candidate are false,” Philip Ellender, the president and COO of government and public affairs at Koch Companies Public Sector, said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
The new pushback comes after the Daily Caller reported Thursday morning that David Koch was planning to pour “tens of millions of dollars” into Johnson’s candidacy, which will be his second bid under the Libertarian party’s banner.
David Koch was the Libertarian Party’s vice presidential nominee in 1980 on a ticket that received 1.1 percent of the vote.
A spokesman for Johnson’s campaign declined to comment specifically on who is backing the campaign, saying they are “hearing from a wide range” of groups and individuals who have interest in backing the campaign.
“We won’t comment specifically on those who may or may not be considering lending support to Gov. Johnson,” a spokesman said in a statement. “We are hearing from a wide range of groups and individuals who are interested in the Governor and our campaign.”
Thus far, David Koch, along with his brother Charles, have held out of supporting presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Charles Koch recently told ABC News that it’s “possible” that Clinton could be a better candidate than Trump.
Johnson announced Wednesday that former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld is joining the Libertarian ticket as his running mate.
“We got together and shook hands on it,” Johnson told the Associated Press. “It brings an enormous amount of credibility to what it is I’m doing. I’m unbelievably flattered by this and humbled.”
Ryan Lovelace contributed to this report.
