"Budget for Koch-Backed Network: Almost $1 Billion for 2016"

"WASHINGTON -- Flexing its financial might, the political machine backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch on Monday told its allies that spending across its conservative network would approach $1 billion ahead of 2016's elections.

The stunning sum from Freedom Partners would dwarf expected spending from official GOP committees and many of the hopefuls expected to seek the party's presidential nomination in 2016. The $889 million budget is almost twice what 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney spent from his campaign accounts.

The hefty budget also suggests that the Koch-backed groups are prepared to spend heavily and early to weaken the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Koch-backed groups such as Americans for Prosperity aired tens of millions of dollars in negative ads against incumbent Democratic lawmakers in 2014 and helped Republicans win a majority in the Senate."

Philip Elliott and Steve Peoples report for the Associated Press January 26, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Republican Hopefuls Appear at Billionaire Koch Retreat" (Reuters)

"Koch Brothers’ Budget of $889 Million for 2016 Is on Par With Both Parties’ Spending" (New York Times)

"Koch Brothers Political Network Planning $889 Million of Spending in 2016" (Reuters)

Source: AP, 01/27/2015