Out Of Options, Koch-Backed Club For Growth Bets On Ted Cruz

Out of options, the Charles and David Koch-backed Club for Growth just endorsed settled for Ted Cruz. The Kochs have for months been agonizing over the reality that they can’t buy Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s loyalty with campaign contributions. Hoping that someone — anyone — other than Ted Cruz would emerge as a viable challenger, Charles and David have thus far held off from getting involved in the race. Now, it looks like they’re settling — and hoping that they can somehow get Cruz into the White House where he’ll be sure to advance their selfish agenda.

Club for Growth has over the last several years benefited from at least $1.9 million from Koch groups. The organization received $924,000 from the Koch-linked Center to Protect Patient Rights from 2009-2012. And Club for Growth benefited from a massive $1,000,000 contribution from Freedom Partners in 2014, alone. As far as 2015 Koch contributions to Club for Growth? We won’t know how much they gave last year until after election day. And the Kochs’ 2016 contributions won’t be disclosed until the end of 2017.

But the Kochs’ Club for Growth-ties go beyond mere financial contributions. One of the Club’s directors, Frayda Levin has been a Americans for Prosperity board member and self-proclaimed “Proud Koch Brothers Insider.” Another director, John Childs, has been previously involved in Koch-coordinated political investments. And yet another Club for Growth director,Howard Rich, has similarly worked closely with the Koch brothers, including as a board member of the Cato Institute, the Koch-founded (and funded) think tank.

The Kochs continue to maintain that they’re holding off on getting involved in the presidential primary. The same cannot be said for Club for Growth Action, which has already spent over $7.62 million across ten states to defeat Donald Trump.

Club for Growth’s resigned backing of Cruz is a serious indication that the billionaire brothers recognize they’re just about out of options and praying they can spend enough to advance their self-interested agenda from the White House.

Club For Growth

CLUB FOR GROWTH HAS RECEIVED AT LEAST $1,924,000 FROM KOCH GROUPS

Club For Growth Received $924,000 From Center To Protect Patient Rights From 2009 – 2012. According to Conservative Transparency, Center To Protect Patient Rights contributed $924,000 to Club For Growth from 2009 – 2012. [Conservative Transparency, accessed 3/23/16]

Club For Growth Received $1,000,000 From Freedom Partners In 2014. According to Conservative Transparency, Freedom Partners contributed $1,000,000 to Club For Growth from in 2014. [Conservative Transparency, accessed 3/23/16]

Club for Growth President David McIntosh Has Been A big fan of Kochs And Expressed Interest In Aligning For the 2016 Cycle

Club For Growth Has Expressed Interest “In Being ‘Aligned’ With The Kochs, Potentially Creating An Even More Influential Force In The 2016 Elections.” According to the Washington Examiner, “Its spending overshadowed by conservative advocacy groups funded by the Koch Industries, the pro-business Club for Growth is expressing interest in being ‘aligned’ with the Kochs, potentially creating an even more influential force in the 2016 elections.” [Washington Examiner, 2/11/15]

Club For Growth President David McIntosh: “I Have Been A Big Fan Of What Charles And David [Koch] Have Created As A Great Influence On The Republican Party And, Frankly, I Think They Can Take The Fair Amount Of Credit For Getting The Republican Majorities.” According to the Washington Examiner, “‘I have been a big fan of what Charles and David [Koch] have created as a great influence on the Republican Party and, frankly, I think they can take the fair amount of credit for getting the Republican majorities,’ said David McIntosh, president of the Club for Growth.” [Washington Examiner, 2/11/15]

Club for Growth Leadership Koch Connections

Frayda Levin Has Been Listed As A Club For Growth Director. According to Club for Growth’s 2014 990, Frayda Levin is a “director” of the organization. [Club for Growth 990, 2014]

Frayda Levin New Jersey Star Ledger Headline: “I’m A Proud Koch Brothers Insider: Opinion[.]”

Frayda Levin Has Been A Board Member Of Americans For Prosperity.According to an OpEd by Frayda Levin, “Frayda Levin, a Mountain Lakes resident who owned a book distribution business for 18 years, is on the board of Americans for Prosperity.” [Frayda Levin – New Jersey Star Ledger, 10/2/14]

John Childs Has Been Listed As A Club For Growth Director. According to Club for Growth’s 2014 990, John Childs is a “director” of the organization. [Club for Growth 990, 2014]

John Childs Has Been Involved In The Koch Donor Network.According to Mother Jones, “Twice a year, the billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch host secretive retreats for an exclusive list of corporate America’s rich and powerful to strategize and raise money for their right-wing political agenda. Mother Jones has obtained exclusive audio recordings that shed some light on the brothers’ latest retreat, held at a resort near Vail, Colorado, in late June. In a speech that is part of these recordings, Charles Koch thanks donors who gave more than $1 million to the cause. We checked the audio against a list of participants at the Kochs’ 2010 seminar in Aspen that was obtained by ThinkProgress.org and did additional research on these individuals. Below are the names Koch read that appeared on the previous guest list. John Childs: Childs is the founder and CEO of private equity firm JW Childs Associates. In 2006, Boston Magazine placed the ‘notoriously media-shy’ magnate—a.k.a. ‘the Republican ATM’—among the city’s wealthiest residents, reportedly worth $1.2 billion. Childs donated $750,000 to outside political expenditure groups in 2010. He’s also been involved in Florida wetlands conservation efforts.” [Mother Jones, 9/6/11]
John Childs Gave Freedom Partners $125,000 In 2015 And $700,000 In 2014. According to Southern Studies, “John W. Childs, the billionaire founder and CEO of private equity firm J.W. Childs Associates, gave $125,000 to FPAF in 2015. He gave $700,000 in 2014. While Childs’ firm is based in Boston, he lists his residence as Vero Beach, Florida.” [Southern Studies, 2/4/16]

Howard Rich Has Been Listed As A Club For Growth Director. According to Club for Growth’s 2014 990, Howard Rich is a “director” of the organization. [Club for Growth 990, 2014]

Howard Rich Has Been ActiveIn The Libertarian Party, And Has Worked Beside Charles Koch In Party Efforts And As A Director Of The Cato Institute. According to PBS, “Early in his career, [Howard] Rich was active in the Libertarian Party and worked with other leaders of the party, such as powerful billionaire Charles Koch, to promote their small-government, free-market causes. But after an internal party dispute in 1983, Rich left the party and continued his activism with private groups and foundations. Rich also sits on the board of directors of the Cato Institute, an influential libertarian think tank founded and funded by Koch and based out of Washington, D.C.” [PBS, 9/22/06]
Howard Rich Has Remained On Cato’s Board Of Directors. [Cato.org/board-of-directors, accessed 3/23/16]

Former Republican Indiana Congressman Chris Chocola Was The Former President Of Club For Growth. According to the New York Times, “As president of the Club for Growth, the politically active free-market advocacy group, Chris Chocola wields tremendous power, rating members of Congress on their fiscally conservative purism. Those who fail to meet the club’s tests can expect a club-backed primary opponent, or at least a negative advertising barrage that leaves them trembling. Had he been in his increasingly influential position just a few years ago, Mr. Chocola would have almost certainly aimed heavy political fire at a fiscally straying Republican lawmaker from Indiana: himself. When he was in the House, from 2003 to 2007, Mr. Chocola voted for various pieces of legislation that are similar to the ones that his group now rails against.” [New York Times, 3/1/12]

David Koch Spent $1,000 To Support Chris Chocola’s Congressional Election In 2002.According to FEC filings, David Koch spent $1,000 to support Chris Chocola in 2002. [FEC, accessed 3/23/16]

Club for Growth And Club For Growth Action Donor Connections

Cato Institute Sr. Fellow Constitutional Studies Robert Levy Contributed $100,000 To Club For Growth Action In January 2016. According to FEC filings, Cato Institute Sr. Fellow Constitutional Studies Robert Levy contributed $100,000 to Club for Growth Action in January 2016. [FEC, 1/28/16]

Club For Growth Action Received $700,000 From Robert Mercer From 2011 – 2013. According to Conservative Transparency, Robert Mercer contributed $700,000 to Club For Growth Action from 2011 – 2013. [Conservative Transparency, accessed 3/23/16]

Club For Growth Received $170,400 From Robert Mercer From 2006 – 2013. According to Conservative Transparency, Robert Mercer contributed $170,400 to Club For Growth from 2006 – 2013. [Conservative Transparency, accessed 3/23/16]

Robert Mercer Has Been A “Major Donor To Republican Groups, According To Fundraising Records, Including Entities Run By The Billionaire Koch Brothers And Club For Growth.”According to CBS, “[Robert] Mercer, 69, is a former computer programmer and co-CEO of Renaissance Technologies, one of the country’s largest hedge funds. Mercer, who lives on New York’s Long Island, is intensely private. A review of his political investments provides some clues as to his policy interests. He is a major donor to Republican groups, according to fundraising records, including entities run by the billionaire Koch brothers and Club for Growth, a Washington conservative economic group that backed Cruz’s 2012 campaign. Mercer has attended conferences promoting a return to the gold standard in monetary policy, which Cruz advocates.” [CBS, 1/25/16]

Club For Growth Action Received $100,000 From Paul Singer In 2012. According to Conservative Transparency, Paul Singer contributed $700,000 to Club For Growth Action in 2012. [Conservative Transparency, accessed 3/23/16]

Paul Singer Has Been A Member Of Koch Network.According to Vanity Fair, “Hedge-fund mogul Paul Singer, a Koch network member who is backing Marco Rubio, is among those who have applied the Koch model to create a group of contributors to concentrate on his own set of pet issues, including supporting Republican candidates who back same-sex marriage.” [Vanity Fair, 2/4/16]

Club For Growth Has Endorsed Ted Cruz

Club For Growth Endorsed Ted Cruz For President. According to the Hill, “The political arm for the fiscally conservative group Club for Growth endorsed Ted Cruz for president late Tuesday night. The group, which has never before endorsed in a presidential primary, has been running millions of dollars’ worth of attack ads against GOP front-runner Donald Trump.” [The Hill, 3/23/16]
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Club for Growth Has Invested Over $7.6 Million To Oppose Donald Trump Throughout The Country

Arizona

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $5,200 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Arizona Internet Ad Buys In The 2016 Cycle. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $5,229.58 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Arizona internet ad buys in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/16/16]

Arkansas

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $560,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Arkansas. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $561,521.07 on TV ad buys, internet communications, and press releases internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Arkansas in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/25/16]

Florida

Club For Growth Action Spent $2,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Florida. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $2,134.27 on a press releases and a digital ad to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Florida in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/2/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $1,200,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Florida. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $1,182,203.38 on TV ad buys, internet communications, and press releases internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Florida in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/4/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent $11,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Florida. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $11,000 on a TV ad buy to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Florida in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/4/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $200,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Florida. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $200,179.67 on a digital ad to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Florida in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/8/16]

Club For Growth Action Nearly $870,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Florida. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $869,707.49 on TV ad buys to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Florida in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/10/16]

Illinois

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $25,500 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Illinois. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $25,521.62 on internet videos and internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Illinois in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/4/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $1.75 Million To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Illinois. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $1,757,582.49 on add buys and internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Illinois in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/8/16]

Iowa

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $2,700 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Iowa. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $2,662 on internet videos, press releases, and internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Iowa in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 1/29/16]

Missouri

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $250,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Missouri. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $249,810.14 on TV ad buys to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Missouri in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/25/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $360,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Missouri. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $360,773.70 on TV ad buys to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Missouri in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/10/16]

Oklahoma

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $540,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Arkansas. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $542,506.68 on TV ad buys, internet communications, and press releases internet communication to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Arkansas in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/25/16]

Nevada

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $152,000 On An Ad Buy Opposing Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Nevada. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $151,781.72 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in a Nevada ad buy in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/19/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $12,000 On An Ad Buy Opposing Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Nevada. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $11,737.04 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in a Nevada ad buy in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/22/16]

South Carolina

Club For Growth Action Spent Nearly $1.4 Million To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In A South Carolina Ad Buy In The 2016 Cycle.According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $1,383,839.20 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in a South Carolina ad buy in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/14/16]

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $49,000 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In A South Carolina Ad Buy In The 2016 Cycle. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $49,228 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in a South Carolina ad buy in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 2/17/16]

Utah

Club For Growth Action Spent Over $5,200 To Oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump In Utah Internet Ad Buys In The 2016 Cycle. According to FEC filings, Club For Growth Action spent $5,229.58 to oppose Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump in Utah internet ad buys in the 2016 cycle. [FEC, 3/16/16]