Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP), the libertarian conservative political policy network founded by the Koch brothers, has endorsed Nikki Haley's presidential campaign. This endorsement brings significant resources and support for Haley as she strives to position herself as the leading challenger to former President Donald Trump. AFP has announced that the endorsement will include a multimillion-dollar ad campaign, which will launch this week in early primary states as well as several Super Tuesday states. The campaign will call on Americans to unite behind Haley's positive vision for the future and to turn away from the broken politics of today.

In the first ad released by AFP, which aired on digital and TV platforms on Tuesday, Haley is portrayed as a fiscal conservative who will tackle reckless spending from both parties. The ad also emphasizes that both Trump and President Joe Biden have had their chance to fix the issues but have failed. AFP has highlighted that it has already reached out to over six million voters about the 2024 race, asserting that it has the largest grassroots operation in the country with a presence in all fifty states.

According to AFP, their polling suggests that Haley's political identity is not widely known, which they view as a strength rather than a disadvantage. AFP senior adviser Michael Palmer stated that as voters become more acquainted with Haley, her favorability ratings and ballot share increase. This strategic advantage of being a "blank slate" allows for easier narrative crafting compared to candidates like Trump and Governor DeSantis, whose stories are already well-known.

AFP officials had previously indicated that they were seeking an alternative to Trump, expressing in a memo in February that "the best thing for the country would be to have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter." This endorsement from AFP comes at a critical time, just weeks before the Iowa caucuses, signaling the consolidation of support and momentum within the GOP race.

The endorsement also reflects the sentiment among top GOP donors who believe there is a need to support an alternative to Trump. Nikki Haley's super PAC, Team Stand for America, is set to hold a fundraiser in New York City in December, hosted by eight GOP donors, including Eric Levine. Levine argues that Haley has a vision for the country and can win against Joe Biden more convincingly than Trump can. This sentiment aligns with the broader theme of expanding the Republican Party's base rather than narrowing it.

The endorsement from Americans for Prosperity Action holds significant weight due to the network's financial prowess. Affiliated with the Koch brothers, the group is known for its substantial expenditure in political campaigns. According to Federal Election Commission disclosures, AFP's affiliated super PAC spent over $69 million in the 2022 cycle. Furthermore, AFP Action has invested over $4.1 million in advertising during this election cycle.

By endorsing Nikki Haley, AFP is providing her campaign with a boost in organizational strength and financial resources. This support includes access to a direct-mail operation, field workers for door-to-door campaigning, and phone banking efforts to reach prospective voters not only in Iowa but also across the country. The group's financial backing will also enable Haley to launch extensive television advertising campaigns.

This endorsement from AFP is a significant development in the Republican primary race, particularly in Iowa, where Haley is vying for the second-place slot against Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida. While Trump remains the dominant front-runner, Haley's steady rise in the polls and the backing of influential donors and opinion-makers make her a formidable candidate in the race. The support from AFP Action further solidifies her momentum in the final weeks leading up to the primary contests.