Charles Koch says he'll stay out of GOP primary
Charles Koch, one half of the pair of billionaire industrialist brothers that loom large over Republican politics, said Wednesday it's not likely he'll back a candidate in the 2016 GOP presidential primary.
"I have no plans to support anybody in the primary now," he said in interview with USA Today.
"If [the candidates] start saying things we think are beneficial overall and will change the trajectory of the country, then that would be good, but we have to believe also they'll follow through on it, and by and large, candidates don't do that," he said by way of explanation.
In April. Koch had told USA Today that he was considering providing financial help to several presidential contenders during the primary campaign before choosing one.
At the time, he had five favorites among the handful of Republicans considering a presidential bid: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. All but Walker remain in the race.
He declined to discuss the candidates individually, telling USA Today, "When we do, it's totally blown out of proportion." He did say that he hasn't spoken with any of the candidates since since August, when Bush, Walker, Rubio, Cruz and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina spoke to the network of Koch donors.
His brother, David Koch, talks to them more, because he is more interested in the political side and lives in New York where it's easy for candidates to come see him.
Charles Koch's decision not to back a particular candidate does not mean the Koch brothers' political network, Freedom Partners, will stay out of the election entirely. The group said in early 2015 that it planned to spend $889 million this cycle.
Charles Koch has sought to lower expectations in recent weeks, saying the group's 450 donors might bring in just $750 million. But he told USA Today that his fundraising team still believes their original target is in reach.
About a third of that budget would be spent on elections at the state and federal levels.