Conservative Billionaire Koch Brothers Turn Against Their Own (Video)


The Koch brothers have fired a warning shot aimed at Repulican lawmakers who don’t adhere to their agenda. For the first time ever, through the Americans For Prosperity (AFP), they are targeting sitting Republicans.

Their test case is Rep. Renee Ellmers of Raleigh N.C.


Ellmers earned the ire of Americans For Prosperity last October by voting for the Export-Import Bank. She said she did so because it was best for her state and district.

“By reforming and reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, we defend thousands of local jobs and support the export of American goods ranging from textile, manufacturing and transportation industries here in North Carolina.”

AFP and some other conservative groups saw it differently and last October, responded in an unprecedented way.

“We are launching an email, social media and phone call campaign to raise awareness of Rep. Ellmers’ vote and hold her accountable for prioritizing taxpayer-financed profits of America’s largest corporations over the people and businesses of her state.”

This month, AFP took it a step further by backing her opponent and launching an aggressive campaign that includes digital ads, direct mail and an old-fashioned, boots on the ground, door knocking initiative.


AFP defended their decision to oppose Ellmer.

“This is someone who claimed to be a conservative leader,” said AFP’s president, Tim Phillips, explaining the decision to single out Ellmers among so many other House Republicans who have voted for the same bills.

“And when you looked at her record on government spending and cronyism … it’s just not true.”

Ellmers ran under the Tea Party banner, but in addition to her stance on the Export-Import bank, she also broke rank with the party establishment and banded with other Republican women to oppose the bill’s requirement for rape victims to report the crime to police before being eligible for an abortion after 20 weeks.

Moderate republicans should take note. If this tactic works, it could influence elections throughout the country. Before Koch money was poured into this district, Ellmers had the deepest pockets. Now subjected to the wealthy machine that is AFP, she may find her re-election in danger.

Voters will decide on June 7.

Featured image by U.S. Congress.