Wisconsin-Report

Politico: “Louisiana Metals Titan Ned Diefenthal…Suggested To” Sen. Ron Johnson “That The Koch Network Is
A Better Investment” Than The RNC. According to Politico, “At an April 2013 gathering, POLITICO reported that
Louisiana metals titan Ned Diefenthal complained to Sen. Ron Johnson about the incompetence of the RNC and its chairman,
Reince Priebus. He ‘keeps sending me letters asking for money. I’m not giving him any money. He doesn’t know what to do
with it,’ Diefenthal said of Priebus. While Diefenthal’s family had donated $280,000 to the RNC over the years, he suggested
to Johnson that the Koch network is a better investment.” [Politico, 12/30/15]
Sen. Ron Johnson Abruptly Dodged Answering The Question Of Whether “Big Donors And Outside Groups” Like
Those At The Indian Wells Koch Seminar Had “Too Much Influence In Politics.” According to Politico, “When he
finally paused for a breath, I jumped in. I explained that I was a reporter—a declaration that journalistic standards required me
to make before conducting an interview—and then led with a blunt question: Do big donors and outside groups like those at
the seminar have too much influence in politics? Before I finished my question, Johnson rose from the cabana couch and
stepped around me. ‘It’s—it’s—it’s pretty hot,’ he stammered, marching toward the nearby doors to the hotel lobby, donors in
tow. Ryan, a tech billionaire, started to follow, but pivoted toward me. Pointing a stubby finger in my face, he scolded, ‘That’s
pretty rude, you know? You interrupted a private conversation,’ which, of course, I had. I didn’t disagree, and apologized
again.” [Politico, 4/29/14]
Sen. Ron Johnson Said That He Thought The Kochs And The Policies They’re Promoting Aim To Lift People Out
Of Poverty. According to Slate, “‘I think someone like David Koch, who’s donated a billion dollars to cancer research, I think
someone like Charles Koch and the policies they’re primarily promoting, I think they are educating people on the free
enterprise system, which just happens to be the best economic system,’ said Johnson after his RLC speech. ‘It’s the one that’s
lifted more people out of poverty than any system in the history of the world. From what I know of the Koch brothers, that is
what they’re trying to promote.’” [Slate, 6/2/14]
Johnson: “What Frustrates Me Is The Press Is Always Focused On The Big-Money Influence On Republicans,
Where The Real Big-Money Influence Is Really On The Democrats’ Side… That’s Where The Real Story Is.”
According to the Hill, “‘What frustrates me is the press is always focused on the big-money influence on Republicans, where
the real big-money influence is really on the Democrats’ side,’ said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). ‘You’ve got guys like George
Soros and Tom Steyer; that’s where the real story is.’” [The Hill, 5/8/14]
The Kochs And Their Groups Devoted At Least $318,356 From 2010 - 2015 To Support Ron Johnson
Contributor Contributor Organization Date Target Amount
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 03/31/2015 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $1,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 06/25/2015 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 06/29/2015 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 06/29/2015 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $5,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 09/23/2014 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $5,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 10/29/2013 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $5,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 08/06/2013 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $1,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 07/30/2012 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $1,500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 05/20/2012 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $1,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 03/26/2012 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $2,500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 12/17/2011 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $2,500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 09/30/2011 Strategy PAC (Johnson Affiliated) $2,500
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 07/16/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $5,000
Koch Industries PAC Koch Industries 09/29/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $5,000
Koch, C Chase Koch Nitrogen 09/13/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
Koch, C Chase Koch Nitrogen 09/13/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
Koch, Charles G Koch Industries 10/28/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
Koch, David H Koch Industries 11/01/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
Koch, Elizabeth B N/A 10/29/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
Koch, Julia F N/A 10/29/2010 Ron Johnson For Senate Inc. $2,400
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