Further cementing their relationship, the Koch brothers are launching new air cover for Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson. Johnson has long been a reliable puppet for Americans for Prosperity and the Kochs–he even credited AFP with being responsible for his decision to run for Senate. 

While the ad touts Johnson’s “Vision for Wisconsin,” it’s clear that the Kochs aren’t concerned with what’s right for Wisconsin, only their bottom line and maintaining a reliable voice in the Senate. The Kochs so value Sen. Johnson that the whole family gave the maximum personal contributions to his campaign.  

Background:

New York Times Political Correspondent Nicholas Confessore: Sen. Ron Johnson Credited Americans For Prosperity With His Decision To Run For Senate. According to a blog post by New York Times Political Correspondent Nicholas Confessore, “The reception, where Mr. Koch was honored with an award, marked the growing influence of the Tea Party-linked group within a Republican Party that it has sought to prod to the right on spending and regulation. Several Republican lawmakers close to Mr. Koch and his brother Charles attended, including Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who credited the group [Americans for Prosperity] with his decision to run for Senate, and Senator John Boozman of Arkansas.” [Nicholas Confessore – New York Times, 8/30/12]

Koch Industries Has Been The Sixth Largest Total Contributor To Ron Johnson Throughout His Career. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Koch Industries has been the sixth largest total contributor to Ron Johnson throughout his career. [OpenSecrets.org, accessed 2/8/16]

Americans For Prosperity Announced That They Will Back Sen. Ron Johnson With Ads In 2016 Because They Have “Been Impressed With” His Work. According to the National Journal, “Americans for Prosperity, ‘the flagship group in Charles and David Koch’s network of politically active nonprofits,’ laid out which senators it plans to ‘back with TV ads’ in 2016. AFP president Tim Phillips said the group has ‘been impressed with’ Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). ‘But Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) is less likely to get air support next year.’ Phillips: ‘He does not have a record we’re excited about from an economic freedom perspective.’” [National Journal, 11/6/15]

Club For Growth Announced That They Plan To “Inject At Least $2.5 Million Into The Wisconsin Senate Race To Help Republican Sen. Ron Johnson Defeat Democratic Challenger Russ Feingold.” According to its 2014 Form

990 filing with the IRS, Freedom Partners provided a cash grant of a million dollars for “general support” to Club for Growth. According to USA Today, “A national conservative group is planning to inject at least $2.5 million into the Wisconsin Senate race to help Republican Sen. Ron Johnson defeat Democratic challenger Russ Feingold in 2016. Club for Growth and its affiliated political action committees are hoping to funnel at least $1.5 million worth of contributions directly to Johnson’s campaign and plan to spend ‘north of $1 million’ on statewide advertisements either supporting his candidacy or, more likely, attacking Feingold.” [2014 Form 990, USA Today, 8/18/15]

• “Club For Growth [Launched] A $700,000 Ad Buy Against Former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, With Two Spots That [Aired] On Broadcast And Cable Stations Throughout Wisconsin.” According to Politico, “Club for Growth will launch a $700,000 ad buy against former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, with two spots that will air on broadcast and cable stations throughout Wisconsin, highlighting Feingold’s record, which the group calls, ‘too liberal, too Washington, too yesterday.’ ‘In 2010, Wisconsin voters had enough of Feingold’s support for bailouts, big government, and record debt,’ said David McIntosh, the group’s president. ‘Club for Growth Action is putting up this initial round of television ads just in case any Wisconsinites need a reminder of why they should not let Russ Feingold and his liberal agenda back in office.’” [Politico, 9/22/15]

The Judicial Crisis Network Launched A Seven Figure Ad Buy Praising GOP Sens Including Ron Johnson For Working To Block A Supreme Court Nominee. According to the Politico, “A conservative judicial activist group is launching a million-dollar ad campaign to give cover to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his vulnerable incumbents as they angle to block President Barack Obama from filling a Supreme Court vacancy. The Judicial Crisis Network is launching a seven-figure ad buy that will land during this weekend’s Sunday shows in Washington, as well as McConnell’s home state of Kentucky and a half-dozen states where senators up for reelection are backing him. Democrats believe the issue is a long-term political loser for the GOP and could cost them the Senate. The ads will praise GOP Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Rob Portman of Ohio, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, John McCain of Arizona and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Noticeably absent from that list is Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who has not announced plans to preemptively reject a court nominee.” [Politico, 2/18/16]

Johnson Received A Total Of $16,800 From Members Of The Koch Family In 2010. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Ron Johnson received a total of $16,800 from members of the Koch family in 2010. This information is further detailed in the following table:

[OpenSecrets.org, accessed 2/12/16]

Johnson Received A Total Of $40,000 From KOCHPAC Between 2010 And 2016. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Ron Johnson and his leadership PAC, Strategy PAC, received a total of $40,000 from KOCHPAC between 2010 and 2016. This information is further detailed in the following table:

[OpenSecrets.org, accessed 2/15/16]