David H. Koch - Political Advocacy

Political Advocacy

See also: Political activities of the Koch brothers

In 1984, Koch founded, served as Chairman of the board of directors of, and donated to the free-market Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE). Richard H. Fink served as its first president. In 2004, CSE separated into the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and FreedomWorks. Koch continues as Chairman of the Board and gives money to the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and to a related advocacy organization, Americans for Prosperity. A Koch spokesperson issued a press release stating that the Kochs have "no ties to and have never given money to FreedomWorks".

Koch also sits on the board and donates to the libertarian Cato Institute and Reason Foundation.

In August 2010, Jane Mayer of The New Yorker wrote a controversial article on the political spending of David and Charles Koch: "As their fortunes grew, Charles and David Koch became the primary underwriters of hard-line libertarian politics in America." Mayer's article has received criticism for using "psycho-biographic innuendo, unnamed sources, and half-truths".

Kimberly O. Dennis, of the Searle Freedom Trust, a libertarian foundation, suggests that the Kochs are acting against their economic interest in promoting "getting government out of the business of running the economy. If they were truly interested in protecting their profits, they wouldn’t be spending so much to shrink government; they’d be looking for a bigger slice of the pie for themselves. Their funding is devoted to promoting free-market capitalism, not crony capitalism."

TIME magazine included both Charles and David Koch among the 100 most influential people of 2011. According to the magazine, the list includes "activists, reformers and researchers, heads of state and captains of industry." The article notes the brothers' commitment to free-market capitalist principles, the growth and development of their business, their passion for philanthropy, and their support for conservative organizations and political candidates.

In July 2010, New York magazine profiled Koch, calling him the "tea party’s wallet" for his indirect support of the movement through his groups like Americans for Prosperity. Koch concedes that he sympathizes with the Tea Party, but denies directly supporting it, and said: "I’ve never been to a tea party event. No one representing the tea party has ever even approached me." Koch is reported to have addressed Tea Party leaders, telling them, "The American dream of free enterprise, capitalism is alive and well."