Kochs Spread Wealth Widely on State Candidates

Election season is upon us and the billionaire Koch brothers have opened their wallets wide. The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) has reported on the “Koch candidates” at the federal level and their candidates for law enforcement and the courts in 2018.

Now we bring you the Koch state-level candidates of 2018.

The billionaire Koch brothers have identified 129 candidates for governor, state representative, and state senator in 16 states, a careful analysis of Koch Industries Political Action Committee (KochPAC) filings, state campaign finance databases, and news sites shows.

The Koch network announced in January at its Donor Summit that it committed to spend $400 million in the 2018 midterms, almost double what it spent in the 2014 midterms.

A fraction of that commitment is visible here. Much of Team Koch’s expenditures are made on i360, its data analytics company, which compiles information on the “199 million active voters”; and on its front groups, including Americans for Prosperity, Concerned Veterans for America, Freedom Partners Action Fund, Generation Opportunity, and The LIBRE Initiative.

Koch Governors

The Kochs continue to demonstrate their preference for Republican governors and lieutenant governors across the country, with massive investments in the Republican Governors Association (RGA) and in nine individual campaigns this election cycle.

Koch Industries gave $525,000 in 2017 and another $250,000 to date in 2018 to RGA, while the Kochs have given nothing over the last two years to the Democratic Governors Association.

The Kochs have contributed to incumbents Gov. Kay Ivey (AL), Gov. Doug Ducey (AZ), Gov. Bruce Rauner (IL), and Gov. Greg Abbott (TX). Charles Koch also made individual contributions to Ducey, Rauner, and Abbott.

New candidates for governor to whom the Kochs have contributed so far this election cycle include Bill Schuette in Michigan, Adam Laxalt in Nevada, and Todd Lamb in Oklahoma.

Koch State Representatives and Senators

Team Koch has already identified and given to a whopping 120 state representatives and senators in ten states, only four of whom are democrats.

Twenty-eight of these “Koch candidates” for office are members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the corporate bill mill that has received millions in Koch cash.

The Koch Star State of Texas–which CMD revealed was a large beneficiary of the Kochs in the 2016 election cycle–again tops all states, with 38 legislative candidates receiving support from the billionaires.

Stay tuned to ExposedByCMD for more on the Kochs’ electoral activities and the Koch Candidates 2018 page on SourceWatch for regular updates between now and the November election.

State Governors

Alabama

• Kay Ivey (R): $5,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

Arizona

• Doug Ducey (R): $5,100 contributed by Charles Koch.

Arkansas

• Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin (R): $2,700 contributed by KochPAC .

Illinois

• Bruce Rauner (R): $5,600 contributed by Charles Koch.

Michigan

• Bill Schuette (R): $1,010.30 contributed by KochPAC.

Nevada

• Adam Laxalt (R): $2.5 million in ads placed by the Koch network’s Freedom Partners Action Fund in support of his run for governor.

Oklahoma

• Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb (R): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Texas

• Greg Abbott (R): $25,000 contributed by KochPAC. Charles Koch also contributed $25,000.
• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R): $10,000 contributed by KochPAC to Dan Patrick for Lt. Governor. Also, KochPAC gave $10,000 to Texans for Dan Patrick.

State House of Representatives

Arkansas

• Mickey Gates (R-22): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Kerry Murphy (R): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC. Murphy lost in the primary for the 28th district.
• Stephen Meeks (R-67): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Donald Ragland (R-83): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Kendon Underwood (R): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC. Underwood lost in the primary for the 90th district.
• Jim Dotson (R-93): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Bob Ballinger (R-97): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Florida

• Paul Renner (R-24): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Bob Cortes (R-30): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jennifer Sullivan (R-31): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Colleen Burton (R-40): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Edwin Pigman (R-55): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jake Raburn (R-57): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Chris Sprowls (R-65): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Ray Rodrigues (R-76): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Dane Eagle (R-77): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• MaryLynn Magar (R-82): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Frank Mingo (R): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries to his campaign for the District 103 seat.
• Ana Maria Rodriguez (R): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries to her campaign for the District 105 seat.
• Bryan Avila (R-111): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Vance Aloupis (R): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries to his campaign for the District 115 seat.

Georgia

• David Ralston (R-07): $2,600 contributed by Koch.
• Barry Flemming (R-121): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

Louisiana

• Alan Seabaugh (R-05): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Raymond Crews (R-08): $4,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Dodie Horton (R-09): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jack McFarland (R-13): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Stephen Dwight (R-35): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Julie Emerson (R-39): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Phillip DeVillier (R-41): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• John Stefanski (R-42): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jean-Paul Coussan (R-45): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Blake Miguez (R-49): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Beryl Amedee (R-51): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jerome Zeringue (R-52): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Tanner Magee (R-53): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Gregory Miller (R-56): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Anthony Bacala (R-59): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Rick Edmonds (R-66): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Julie Stokes (R-79): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Polly Thomas (R-80): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• John Berthelot (R-88): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Reid Falconer (R-89): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Stephanie Hilferty (R-94): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.

Mississippi

• Lester Bubba Carpenter (R-01): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Shane Aguirre (R-17): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Shane Barnett (R-86): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Brad Touchstone (R-101): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• John Read (R-102): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jeffrey Guice (R-114): $500 contributed by Koch Industries.

Oregon

• David Brock Smith (R-01): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Carl Wilson (R-03): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Caddy McKeown (D-09): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Sherrie Sprenger (R-17): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Denyc Boles (R-19): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Mike Nearman (R-23): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Ron Noble (R-24): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Mike McLane (R-55): $8,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Greg Barreto (R-58): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Daniel Bonham (R-59): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

Pennsylvania

• Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Turzai (R-28): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Texas

• Dan Flynn (R-2): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Chris Paddie (R-9): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC to his Chris Paddie Campaign Committee. KochPac also gave $2,000 to Texans for Chris Paddie.
• Steve Toth (R-15): $6,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• James White (R-19): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Dade Phelan (R-21): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC to his Dade Phelan Campaign. KochPAC also gave $2,000 to Texans for Dade.
• Wayne Faircloth (R-23) received $3,000 from KochPAC.
• Dennis Bonnen (R-25): $6,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Geanie Morrison (R-30): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Todd Hunter (R-32): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Abel Herrero (R-34): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Paul Workman (R-37): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Jose M. Lozano (R-43): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Jason Isaac (R-45): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Charles “Doc” Anderson (R-56): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Trent Ashby (R-57): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Phil King (R-61): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Lynn Stucky (R-64): $4,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Ron Simmons (R-65): $4,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Drew Springer (R-68): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Drew Darby (R-72): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Charlie Geren (R-99): $6,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Rodney Anderson (R-105): $1,000 from KochPAC to his Rodney Anderson Campaign. KochPAC also gave $1,000 to Texans for Rodney Anderson.
• Jason Villalba (R-114): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Speaker of the House Joe Strauss (R-121): $10,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Mike Schofield (R-132): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Jim Murphy (R-133): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Gary Elkins (R-135): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Tony Dale (R-136): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Gilbert Pena (R-144): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.

State Senate

Arkansas

• Linda Collins-Smith (R-19): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Ricky Hill (R-29): $1,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Louisiana

• Sharon Hewitt (R-01): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Mack White (R-06): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Beth Mizell (R-12): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Eddie Lambert (R-18): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Sen Robert “Bret” Allain (R-21): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Ronald Johns (R-27): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Barrow Peacock (R-37): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

Mississippi

• John Polk (R-44): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

North Carolina

• Phil Berger (R-26): $5,200 contributed by Koch Industries.

Oregon

• Dallas Heard (R-01): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Arnie Roblan (D-05): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Frank Girod (R-09): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Jackie Winters (R-10): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Betsy Johnson (R-16): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Alan Olsen (R-20): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Tim Knopp (R-27): $2,000 contributed by Koch Industries.
• Bill Hansell (R-29): $1,000 contributed by Koch Industries.

Pennsylvania

• Joe Scarnati (R-25): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Texas

• Robert Nichols (R-3): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Charles Schwertner (R-5): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Paul Bettencourt (R-7): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Angela Paxton (R): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC. She is running for the 8th district seat.
• Kelly Hancock (R-9): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Joan Huffman (R-17): $3,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-20): $2,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Donna Campbell (R-25): $5,000 contributed by KochPAC.
• Craig Estes (R-30): $6,000 contributed by KochPAC.

Wisconsin

• Andre Jacque (R-01): $500 contributed by KochPAC.