The Koch brothers, whose wealth, when combined, is the fourth highest in the nation, run one of the largest private companies
in the country. Koch Industries is involved in industries ranging from oil and gas, refining and chemicals, minerals, fertilizers,
forestry, consumer products, polymers and fibers, and ranching. They have operations in 45 states.
The Koch brothers use their considerable wealth to bankroll the right wing, including the Tea Party. This serves the purpose of
furthering not only their right-wing ideology but also their bottom line. Koch Industries has a lot to gain from gutting
government oversight and electing candidates who oppose government regulation, especially in the oil-and-gas industry.
Chances are the Koch brothers are part of any recent right-wing attack as of late as they have fought health reform, Wall
Street reform, collective bargaining rights, and efforts to curb climate change, to name just a few.
We have identified at least $85 million the Koch brothers have given to at least 85 right-wing think tanks and advocacy groups
over the past decade and a half.
Their main advocacy group, Americans for Prosperity, has chapters in 32 states and spent $45 million in the last election,
predominantly to help elect Republicans.
The Kochs donated directly to 62 of the 87 members of the House GOP freshman class.
The Koch brothers are active at the state level, spending $5.2 million on candidates and ballot measures in 34 states since
2003. They donated directly to 13 governors that won election last year.
The Kochs are not going away. In fact, they have already pledged to raise $88 million for the 2012 election and have started
scheduling events for potential Republican presidential candidates.
– more americanprogressaction.org