The free-market political network backed by billionaire Charles Koch announced Monday it will not support Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.
Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips shared the decision at the final day of the Koch network donor conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., according to reports.
Phillips told donors Cramer is “inconsistent across the board” on trade and spending issues important to the Koch network.
“We can’t support him at this time,” Phillips said.
The development comes as the group indicated over the weekend it would be open to supporting candidates other than Republicans in the future.
“I don’t care what initials are in front or after somebody’s name,” Koch said of potentially offering support to Democrats who share the same policy goals.
In June, the Koch-backed group launched a digital advertising campaign thanking Heitkamp for supporting a bill rolling back some banking regulations enforced after the 2008 financial crisis. The Democrat is seen as one of the more vulnerable members of her party in the 2018 midterm elections as she defends her seat in a state Trump easily won in 2016.
