About the Kochs

Charles (top) and David Koch lead a network with wealth and reach.
Charles (above) and David Koch lead a network with wealth and reach.
Charles (top) and David Koch lead a network with wealth and reach.
Charles and David Koch (above) lead a network with wealth and reach.

Led by influential industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, the Koch network is made up of the wealthiest conservative families, philanthropies and conservative advocacy groups. Membership requires a payment of at least US$100,000 (S$134,000) per year.

The sprawling 700-member political donor network, which is active in six competitive Senate races, has spent US$21 million on paid ads and has reservations for at least US$20 million more.

The operation is now on track to invest US$750 million in the 2016 cycle, officials said. In addition, its groups together have 1,600 staff deployed across 38 states - a political infrastructure that rivals that of the US' two main political parties.

REUTERS, BLOOMBERG, WASHINGTON POST

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 01, 2016, with the headline About the Kochs. Subscribe