Koch-Backed Network Wants Your Data and It Wants Your Vote

image
Author: James Ryan
Created: 23 Apr, 2015
Updated: 21 Nov, 2022
1 min read

Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the network of small-government advocacy groups steered by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch, is expanding into new states and attracting new donors in its efforts leading into 2016.

A leaked document details plans to enhance the network's data system and bring on hundreds of staff in communities across the nation.  These preparations indicate a massive get-out-the-vote effort that has never been seen from a group that isn't the Democratic or Republican Party.

The document, called a "Partner Prospectus," was sent to major donors and prospects last month. It includes information about AFP's  staffing (539 field staffers in key states in 2014), advertising spending ($60 million in 2014), and canvassing (7.5 million phone calls made and 2.4 million doors knocked). The prospectus outlines the development and testing of an online predictive dialing system and mobile canvassing app that "integrates household data, GPS mapping, and survey software." You can find a copy of the leaked document here.

The plans also include the creation of new AFP chapters in Alabama, Idaho, North Dakota, and Utah -- deep red states where the group can focus on efforts to scale back union influence and government regulation.

Sources familiar with the Koch network say to expect issue-based attacks on Hillary Clinton and other Democrats later this year, followed by potential involvement in next year's Republican presidential primary. Network leaders, in recent meetings with major donors, have indicated that they plan to launch critiques of Democratic candidates following Labor Day.

The release of this document comes months after the network put out an $889 million spending plan for efforts heading into 2016.  The money will be spent on groups that are not involved in electoral politics -- universities, think tanks, and public policy advocates -- as well as a variety of super PACs and other political groups.

Latest articles

A broken FEC logo over a pile of American money.
Partisan Gridlock and the FEC: 50 Years of Increasing Paralysis
Many voters may not be aware that on May 1 the Federal Election Commission (FEC) lost its ability to enforce federal campaign finance and election laws after Republican Allen Dickerson departed the agency, leaving it without the quorum it needs to perform its most important roles....
19 May, 2025
-
5 min read
Vote sticker on a pole.
Majority Rules: The Film Capturing America’s Most Radical Election Reform
Alaskans made history in 2020 when they passed the first-in-the-nation election system that not only eliminated party primaries but adopted a voting system for the general election that gave them the option to rank candidates in order of preference....
19 May, 2025
-
3 min read
Custom image that says Immigration reform with two migrants on the left and border security with a border agent on the right. The words Why Not Both are in the middle.
Democrat Senator Gallego Releases Plan for Immigration Reform that Party Loyalists Won’t Like
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has introduced a plan for systemic immigration reform and a front-and-center border security plan to reach what he says should be a bipartisan goal of “getting illegal border crossing to as near zero as possible.” ...
16 May, 2025
-
6 min read