Nikki Haley Gets Endorsement From Influential Koch Network

Several nig conservative donors are trying to move away from Donald Trump and have endorsed former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. This includes the powerful and influential Koch Network, which formally endorsed her last Friday.

The Kock Network's political arm, Americans for Prosperity, or AFP Action, vowed to commit its nationwide coalition of activists, as well as massive funding, for Haley as she continues moving up the polls and gaining on Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

"AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November," said AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel in a memo regarding the decision.

The Koch-funded political arm added, "She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation's biggest challenges and help ensure our country's best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it."

According to the Associated Press, the endorsement would secure some much-needed campaign funds for Hailey, who had been lacking significant resources on the ground. These findings are expected to ensure her supporters turn out to vote as the Koch network is known to be the most powerful conservative grassroots organization in the United States.

Previously known as the Koch Brothers, the Koch Network has been known to pay conservative activists and volunteers in key states for several years now and has been endorsing several key candidates for conservative causes. Their endorsement of Hailey is seen to be a major blow to DeSantis, who has been struggling in second place against Donald Trump in the polls.

Nikki Haley Emerging as a Threat Vs. Donald Trump

Nikki Hailey's rise in the polls was not just concerning for Ron DeSantis but also for Donald Trump as the frontrunner went out of his way to try and show her up in her home state by showing up at the Clemson-South Carolina football game.

This was the same college football game that Donald Trump was loudly booed. However, this showed that Hailey's surge has become a concerning matter for the ex-POTUS so much that he decided to campaign on Hailey's home turf.

Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas spoke with the Associated Press and stated that Haley was "the only candidate with momentum" as she had plenty of come-from-behind victories.

"South Carolinians know their governor has what it takes to win because they've seen her beat the odds before - not just once, but twice," she added.

Nikki Haley Vs. Vivek Ramaswamy Feud Spills Into the Campaign Trail

While Haley is making huge leaps to catch up to DeSantis and Trump, she is also continuing her rivalry with Vivek Ramaswamy, with whom she had a very personal confrontation during the last debate.

The debate turned personal when Ramaswamy slammed Haley's daughter for using TikTok. What was supposed to be a political rivalry has now become a personal dislike, with Rutgers University political science professor Ross Baker noting, "For Haley, it seems to be the simple fact that she doesn't like the man. Her challenges to him onstage are especially acerbic."

Haley has been courting the more traditional Republicans and conservatives, while Ramaswamy has been trying to get the far right to vote for him.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Koch network endorses Nikki Haley for president - CBS News