How the billionaire Koch brothers became 2 of the most influential political donors in America

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Jan 30, 2019, 00:31 IST

Charles and David's father, Fred Koch, founded the family business in Wichita, Kansas in 1940. Fred was originally an engineer before becoming an industrialist.

Charles and David's father, Fred Koch, founded the family business in Wichita, Kansas in 1940. Fred was originally an engineer before becoming an industrialist.

Source: SEC

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While Charles joined the family business in 1961, David did not join the company until 1970 after working at a number of consulting firms. The two both got their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

While Charles joined the family business in 1961, David did not join the company until 1970 after working at a number of consulting firms. The two both got their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sources: Koch Industries, SEC

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The business was originally called Rock Island Oil & Refinery Company. But when Charles became the company's president in 1966, he renamed it Koch Industries in honor of his father.

The business was originally called Rock Island Oil & Refinery Company. But when Charles became the company's president in 1966, he renamed it Koch Industries in honor of his father.

Source: SEC

Koch Industries is now the second-largest company in the US with an annual revenue of $100 billion.

Koch Industries is now the second-largest company in the US with an annual revenue of $100 billion.

Sources: Forbes, Koch Industries

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In the political world, Fred was a founding member of the John Birch Society, a group dedicated to combatting communism and limiting the size and role of government.

In the political world, Fred was a founding member of the John Birch Society, a group dedicated to combatting communism and limiting the size and role of government.

Source: Investopedia

That influence led Charles to co-found the Cato Institute in 1977 to promote libertarian causes, such as free markets and individual liberty. With an operating income of $37 million in 2017, it is one of the most influential think tanks in the US.

That influence led Charles to co-found the Cato Institute in 1977 to promote libertarian causes, such as free markets and individual liberty. With an operating income of $37 million in 2017, it is one of the most influential think tanks in the US.

Source: Investopedia, Cato Institute, Cato Institute annual report

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David once ran for vice president on the Libertarian Party ticket in 1980. But he and presidential candidate Ed Clark only won 1% of the vote.

David once ran for vice president on the Libertarian Party ticket in 1980. But he and presidential candidate Ed Clark only won 1% of the vote.

Source: Britannica

He ran on the platform to abolish several significant government programs, including social security, welfare, minimum wage laws, the Federal Reserve Board, and corporate taxes.

He ran on the platform to abolish several significant government programs, including social security, welfare, minimum wage laws, the Federal Reserve Board, and corporate taxes.

Source: The Famous People

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After David lost in 1980, Charles said traditional politics "tends to be a nasty, corrupting business." He added that he was "interested in advancing libertarian ideas."

After David lost in 1980, Charles said traditional politics "tends to be a nasty, corrupting business." He added that he was "interested in advancing libertarian ideas."

Source: Investopedia

David left the Libertarian Party in 1984 and joined the GOP after it supported eliminating all taxes.

David left the Libertarian Party in 1984 and joined the GOP after it supported eliminating all taxes.

Source: The Famous People

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That same year, the Koch brothers created a conservative political group called Citizens for a Sound Economy. The group was dedicated to free markets and called for personal involvement in public policy activism. In 2004, it was renamed FreedomWorks.

That same year, the Koch brothers created a conservative political group called Citizens for a Sound Economy. The group was dedicated to free markets and called for personal involvement in public policy activism. In 2004, it was renamed FreedomWorks.

Source: The Famous People/The New Yorker

Charles has also gone on to start the Institute for Humane Studies, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and the Bill of Rights Institute to further his policy initiatives. He has also funded scholarships and research grants for economists.

Charles has also gone on to start the Institute for Humane Studies, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and the Bill of Rights Institute to further his policy initiatives. He has also funded scholarships and research grants for economists.

Source: The Charles Koch Institute

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The Koch's donations to advocacy groups has led to them sometimes oppose politicians they supported in elections. For example, they once donated $10 million to the ACLU to fight the implementation of the PATRIOT Act under former President George W. Bush.

The Koch's donations to advocacy groups has led to them sometimes oppose politicians they supported in elections. For example, they once donated $10 million to the ACLU to fight the implementation of the PATRIOT Act under former President George W. Bush.

Source: Investopedia

In 2004, the Koch brothers founded Americans for Prosperity, their primary political organization. It's considered one of the most influential conservative advocacy groups in the country today.

In 2004, the Koch brothers founded Americans for Prosperity, their primary political organization. It's considered one of the most influential conservative advocacy groups in the country today.

Source: The Famous People

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The Koch brothers have also been strong advocates against climate change and its impact on the planet. In the mid-2000s, they became the biggest donors of groups that questioned the severity of climate change and how humans are causing it.

The Koch brothers have also been strong advocates against climate change and its impact on the planet. In the mid-2000s, they became the biggest donors of groups that questioned the severity of climate change and how humans are causing it.

Sources: Britannica, The New Yorker, Washington Post, The New York Times

The Koch brothers reportedly gave $246 million to non-profits and public policy research related to libertarian causes from 2004-08.

The Koch brothers reportedly gave $246 million to non-profits and public policy research related to libertarian causes from 2004-08.

Source: Investopedia

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In 2008, the Koch brothers donated to over 30 political and policy organizations that they either founded or help direct.

In 2008, the Koch brothers donated to over 30 political and policy organizations that they either founded or help direct.

Source: The New Yorker

Because of the size and scope of influence that the group has, the Koch political network has been described as a rival to the Republican National Committee itself.

Because of the size and scope of influence that the group has, the Koch political network has been described as a rival to the Republican National Committee itself.

Source: Politico

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Americans for Prosperity played a significant role in the growth of the Tea Party Movement in the 2010 midterm elections, as the Koch brothers spent $45 million organizing rallies, mobilizing voters, building policy, and pushing ads.

Americans for Prosperity played a significant role in the growth of the Tea Party Movement in the 2010 midterm elections, as the Koch brothers spent $45 million organizing rallies, mobilizing voters, building policy, and pushing ads.

Sources: Britannica, Forbes

In 2011, Charles' foundation contributed $25,000 to a conservative and libertarian public policy think tank called The Heartland Institute, which often attacks climate science. The Koch brothers also donated $2.6 million to candidates that year.

In 2011, Charles' foundation contributed $25,000 to a conservative and libertarian public policy think tank called The Heartland Institute, which often attacks climate science. The Koch brothers also donated $2.6 million to candidates that year.

Sources: The New York Times, Mother Jones

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In the 2012 presidential and congressional elections, the Koch brothers and their network of donors spent $400 million.

In the 2012 presidential and congressional elections, the Koch brothers and their network of donors spent $400 million.

Sources: Washington Post, The New York Times

Two recipients of Koch-network funding that year were Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Two recipients of Koch-network funding that year were Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Sources: Mother Jones, LA Times

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The Koch brothers have also been opposed to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act and Dodd-Frank.

The Koch brothers have also been opposed to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act and Dodd-Frank.

Sources: New York Magazine, USA Today

The Koch brothers largely opposed the Obama administration and criticized it for what they saw as "big government" policies with increased spending and eroding individual liberty.

The Koch brothers largely opposed the Obama administration and criticized it for what they saw as "big government" policies with increased spending and eroding individual liberty.

Source: The New Yorker

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But in 2015, they and former President Barack Obama were on the same page about one thing: He praised their efforts at reforming the criminal justice system.

But in 2015, they and former President Barack Obama were on the same page about one thing: He praised their efforts at reforming the criminal justice system.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

At a 2015 meeting with GOP donors, the Koch brothers said they were prepared to spend almost $900 million in the 2016 presidential and congressional campaigns.

At a 2015 meeting with GOP donors, the Koch brothers said they were prepared to spend almost $900 million in the 2016 presidential and congressional campaigns.

Source: The New York Times

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After the GOP primary, the Koch's did not donate to Trump and strictly gave to Senate and House races.

After the GOP primary, the Koch's did not donate to Trump and strictly gave to Senate and House races.

Source: Newsweek

While there is no evidence that he donated to her campaign or supported her, Charles said in July 2016 it was possible that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would make a better president.

While there is no evidence that he donated to her campaign or supported her, Charles said in July 2016 it was possible that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would make a better president.

Source: The Guardian

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"Since it appears that neither presidential candidate is likely to support us in [our] efforts," Charles said in 2016, "we're focused on maximizing the number of principled leaders in the House and Senate who will."

"Since it appears that neither presidential candidate is likely to support us in [our] efforts," Charles said in 2016, "we're focused on maximizing the number of principled leaders in the House and Senate who will."

Source: The Guardian

Despite primarily supporting Republican candidates, David supports abortion rights and same-sex marriage. The Koch network opposed the Iraq War and has backed a non-interventionist foreign policy.

Despite primarily supporting Republican candidates, David supports abortion rights and same-sex marriage. The Koch network opposed the Iraq War and has backed a non-interventionist foreign policy.

Sources: CNN, Washington Post

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In a Washington Post opinion piece in 2016, Charles said he agreed with former presidential candidate and current Sen. Bernie Sanders on the unfairness of corporate welfare and the need for criminal justice reform.

In a Washington Post opinion piece in 2016, Charles said he agreed with former presidential candidate and current Sen. Bernie Sanders on the unfairness of corporate welfare and the need for criminal justice reform.

Sources: Washington Post, Bernie Sanders

The Koch network has been critical of Trump's travel ban and, in June 2018, financed a multi-million dollar campaign to oppose Trump's tariffs.

The Koch network has been critical of Trump's travel ban and, in June 2018, financed a multi-million dollar campaign to oppose Trump's tariffs.

Source: BBC News, The Independent

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In June, David announced he would be leaving the business and politics world of the Koch network due to declining health.

In June, David announced he would be leaving the business and politics world of the Koch network due to declining health.

Source: Business Insider

Charles said to donors at a meeting in July 2018 that he is open to backing Democratic candidates if they align with the group's platform and philosophy. Koch said "the divisiveness of this White House is causing long-term damage."

Charles said to donors at a meeting in July 2018 that he is open to backing Democratic candidates if they align with the group's platform and philosophy. Koch said "the divisiveness of this White House is causing long-term damage."

Source: Business Insider

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Trump took to Twitter to respond to the Koch network's rebuke of his administration, calling them "overrated."

Trump took to Twitter to respond to the Koch network's rebuke of his administration, calling them "overrated."

Source: Business Insider

In August 2018, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said accused the Koch network of putting business ahead of politics, as the RNC has now distanced itself from the Koch family.

In August 2018, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said accused the Koch network of putting business ahead of politics, as the RNC has now distanced itself from the Koch family.

Source: Business Insider

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And in January 2019, the Koch network announced already that it would not be supporting Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

And in January 2019, the Koch network announced already that it would not be supporting Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Source: Business Insider

A spokesman for Americans for Prosperity, a Koch-funded group, told the Washington Post it will "support policy champions in Senate, House and state races, build broad-based policy coalitions, and to launch a major new initiative to fight poverty in America."

A spokesman for Americans for Prosperity, a Koch-funded group, told the Washington Post it will "support policy champions in Senate, House and state races, build broad-based policy coalitions, and to launch a major new initiative to fight poverty in America."

Source: Washington Post

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