The Koch brothers, mega-funders of conservative causes throughout the country, are writing some big checks in Georgia races this election year.
Their Wichita, Kansas-based oil, gas and textile conglomerate Koch Industries filed a report Monday showing it donated $65,000 on May 6 to state candidates and causes - almost all Republicans. Of that, $50,000 went to a state GOP fund.
Since late October, it has contributed about $101,000 in Georgia, include $12,600 to Gov. Nathan Deal’s re-election campaign, $5,000 to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and $2,500 the day before the 2014 General Assembly session started to House Speaker David Ralston.
That total since late October is nearly as much as the brothers and their companies gave in Georgia between 2006 and the start of October 2013.
The brothers have plowed tens of millions of dollars into political campaigns and conservative groups across the country, in some cases being credited with helping to turn statehouses into Republican strongholds. That’s made them a national political target of Democrats and liberal groups, who accuse them of trying to buy the government in the same way conservatives often pointed the finger at left-wing mega-patron George Soros.
Republicans already hold every statewide office and both chambers of the General Assembly in Georgia, but a lot of money was poured into primary battles this year in fights that pitted establishment, Chamber of Commerce Republicans and Tea Party candidates and lawmakers.
About the Author
