A conservative powerhouse is igniting a political inferno as it intensifies its thrust into congressional primaries, throwing its early support behind Republican candidates in a relentless pursuit of redemption following the losses of 2022.
Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC with roots in the influential Koch Brothers network, is unveiling its endorsement of five additional Republican House candidates in an exclusive revelation to POLITICO. Of these candidates, four are contesting seats pinpointed by the National Republican Congressional Committee as pivotal targets for the GOP in the 2024 elections.
In the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans in Washington pointed fingers at candidate quality as a significant factor contributing to their underperformance. Determined not to repeat history, AFP Action is making a compelling argument for bolstering candidates early, even during hotly contested primaries. Remarkably, the group had already thrown its considerable weight behind eight House and Senate candidates in June—significantly ahead of the usual timeline.
Nathan Nascimento, Director of AFP Action, declared, “Electing strong candidates to Congress is critical to advancing good policies that will improve the lives of all Americans. AFP Action is mobilizing our grassroots network from coast to coast to help the strongest candidates win their 2024 primaries—and go on to win in the general election.”
AFP Action’s endorsements now encompass Pennsylvania GOP contenders Ryan Mackenzie from the 7th district and Rob Mercuri from the 17th, alongside Tom Barrett, making his second bid in a Michigan open seat currently held by Representative Elissa Slotkin, and Craig Riedel in Ohio’s 9th district. These four seats are presently occupied by Democrats and are firmly in the crosshairs of the Republican Party.
Additionally, the group is throwing its considerable weight behind Riley Moore in West Virginia’s 2nd district, a Republican stronghold where the primary victor is almost certain to clinch the general election.
Nascimento proudly proclaimed, “AFP Action is proud to back these policy champions in their House races to help provide the new leadership and fresh ideas our country needs to move forward.”
The specter of candidate quality looms large in Republican circles for the upcoming year. Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the largest GOP super PAC, shared a similar sentiment in a letter to donors the previous month. CLF President Dan Conston underscored the role of top-of-ticket drag in the 2022 victories of Pennsylvania Democratic Representatives Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright, attributing their success to Doug Mastriano, the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump’s election denial claims.
AFP Action wields an extensive rolodex of millions of Republican voters. Nascimento revealed that the organization has already reached out to 4.3 million potential GOP primary voters during this election cycle in battleground states. With deep pockets, AFP Action dispensed nearly $80 million in the 2022 cycle, amassing a similarly substantial war chest this time around. According to Open Secrets, the group has raised nearly as much in the current cycle. Nascimento expressed the organization’s objective of amplifying participation in the GOP primary voting process.
Notably, AFP Action has also cast its endorsement net over candidates in crucial Senate races, with figures such as Sam Brown in Nevada and Dave McCormick, who is poised to announce his Pennsylvania campaign imminently.
In the preceding midterm cycle, Americans for Prosperity Action revealed that its campaign apparatus, combined with its nonprofit arm, knocked on an astounding 7 million doors and dispatched over 100 million mailers to voters across the nation.
The political landscape is ablaze as AFP Action emerges as a formidable player, determined to mold the future of the Republican Party and shape the course of American politics.
